Meet AmeriCorps Coach Mel

  1. Updates

Meet our rockstar coach, Melanie! Melanie, or Coach Mel, to her students, is spending her year of service at Chappell Elementary School, a longtime partner of Playworks Illinois. Coach Mel is from the Belmont Cragin neighborhood on the northwest side of Chicago. She studied exercise sport science at Judson University. She has a passion for service, sports and youth. As a Playworks coach, she hopes to make every kid feel loved, valued and cared for. We interviewed Coach Mel to find out more about her experience as a coach.

Coach Name: Coach Mel

The best part of being a coach is . . . the opportunity to build intentional relationships with students and make a positive impact in the school community.

What has been your favorite memory at Playworks Illinois thus far? My favorite memory at Playworks Illinois was a team building event held at the beach during preservice. We were able to spend time together as a team and play a great game of ultimate frisbee.

How do you see our core values of respect, inclusion, healthy play, and healthy community at your school? I see the core values displayed in my school on a daily basis. During all Playworks programming, students are engaged in healthy and inclusive play. They use ro-sham-bo to resolve conflict during recess, say “good job, nice try” to their classmates during class game time and show respect by including everyone in their games.

In 5 years, it would be awesome if Playworks . . . offered a new component: summer camp! During the summer not all students have a safe and healthy place to play; providing a summer camp would create that opportunity and further develop their social and emotional skills.

 

More Updates


February 7, 2023

Building Skill Through Play: Encouraging Students to Initiate and Sustain Games ›

The second semester of school is under way and it’s off to a great start! School staff have been working the entire first semester of school to create a welcoming…

February 3, 2023

Partnership Spotlight: Troy Community Consolidated School District ›

Playworks Illinois has so many wonderful partnerships with schools and districts throughout Illinois. One partnership we’re highlighting is with Troy Community Consolidated School District located in Will County. There are…

January 17, 2023

Program Spotlight: TeamUp ›

Playworks offers a variety of service options to best meet the needs of our partner schools and youth serving organizations. TeamUp is a service that combines direct service and consultative…