Coach Jennifer is an all-star coach that has high energy and pizzazz! She encourages play and continuously seeks out and creates new games to be played in difficult small spaces with her students. Witnessing her sing a cheer is like being a part of an onstage production of a musical. Currently she is going above and beyond to develop an Active All-Star 3k walk for her Community Engagement Initiative that will promote living a healthy and active lifestyle to all of her University Yes Academy students, staff, and parents.
Monday’s Coach of the Day: Coach Jennifer
May 15, 2023
Let’s Create a Brighter Future Through Play ›
I am so thrilled to continue my journey with the Playworks Michigan team after joining as Executive Director in November 2022. After only a few months I have had the opportunity to experience firsthand the outstanding passion of Playworks Coaches, Site Coordinators, program staff, board, and volunteers, who are the heart of this organization. Through…
January 10, 2023
Understanding the Complex Simplicities of Play ›
Play is a behavior that is natural and has existed for thousands of years and across species. It combines a set of made-up rules or norms and a willingness to explore. Researchers, scientists, and doctors have studied the effects of play on kids–and adults–and understand that this natural behavior has tremendous benefits. As the American…
July 28, 2022
A year of social and emotional learning ›
“You can’t do SEL, trauma, or equity work without each other,” Jennette Claassen, Head of Evaluation, Playworks. As Playworks continued to progress on our equity journey, we explored a critical question: what are the intersections between play, social and emotional learning, physical activity, and trauma? A working group focused on this question decided, among other…