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


October 31, 2023

Indoor Recess Game Guide ›

Here at Playworks Minnesota, we know a thing or two about cold winters and rainy days. We know this can be a challenge for schools and educators to keep things…

three people with Playworks shirts
three people with Playworks shirts

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…

August 24, 2021

Playworks Founder Jill Vialet Publishes ‘Why Play Works’ ›

Play brings out the best in every kid. Over the course of 25 years since Jill Vialet founded Playworks, she and her colleagues, as well as researchers and play experts,…