Meet Coach MJ

  1. Updates

Coach MJ is a proud Minnesota native, born and bred in South Minneapolis. Before joining the Playworks family for the start of the 2013-14 school year, Coach MJ was working with the YMCA.  For the past two years he's been bringing rock, paper, scissors, cheers, and high-fives to the students and faculty of Lucy Laney Elementary School in North Minneapolis, and loving every minute of it!
 
What was your favorite recess game growing up:
As a kid, my two favorite games were football and four-square.
Has it changed now that you're a coach:
Now that I'm a coach, wall-ball is my new favorite 
What is the best part about being a coach:
The best part about being a coach are the interactions I get to have with the students and staff—bringing out a healthy community.
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go:
I want to visit Jamaica one day. A tropical paradise!
 
 
 

More Updates


November 18, 2025

Student Leadership Expands to Northern Minnesota ›

Thanks to the MN Department of Health’s Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP), students at three schools in northern Minnesota are going to benefit from student-led recess this school year. In…

September 30, 2025

6 Game Tips for a Strong Start to the School Year ›

We are wrapping up our back-to-school blog series with some tips to help kick off the year with play! The first few weeks of school have a huge impact on…

September 23, 2025

5 Fun & Easy Recess Games to Kick Off the School Year ›

Our back-to-school blog series continues with a collection of recess games that are quick to teach and guaranteed to keep students engaged! The first few weeks of school are full…