Daniel, or better known as Coach Blasher to the students he works with, is a first year AmeriCorps Program Coordinator at the Dever McCormack School in Dorchester. The Dever McCormack School has been a long-time partner with Playworks, however this year Coach Blasher has faced a new challenge. During the 2014-15 school year, the Dever McCormack School entered turnaround status. However, the school has identified Playworks and Coach Blasher as a key partner to help ensure students are given the opportunity to learn, lead, and thrive in a safe, healthy school environment. Coach Blasher has been able to build an incredible relationship with school staff and students during his short time at the Dever. In fact, he was able to secure the gymnasium as a location for our girls basketball league nights for the first time.
During the month of December, Coach Blasher volunteered to have his girls basketball team participated in the Boston Celtics Junior Celtics program. This program included attending an additional training on the program, having special basketball practices with Boston Celtics staff, and coordinating a field trip to a Boston Celtics Basketball Clinic. This year was the first year that a girls team actively participated in the program, and we are so proud of Coach Blasher for taking the initiative to give his girls this incredible opportunity.
Coach Blasher continues to make excellent happen at recess, successfully handling an overlapping recess schedule, at some points he has over 300 students outside at once! He has risen to the occasion of this difficult challenge and has been successfully able to transition students back to the classroom, focused and ready to learn. Coach Blasher is extremely proactive and has a positive attitude in any situation, lending a helping hand to anyone in need. Coach Blasher is devoted to making excellent happen in the Playworks Massachusetts community, we are excited to see what the future holds for Coach Blasher.
