We are excited to announce Shelby Obert as February’s Coach of the Month!
Coach Shelby is a second year AmeriCorps member currently serving at the Henry Grew School in Hyde Park, MA. While this year certainly looks different, Coach Shelby has consistently been able to leverage the relationships she built in person last year to continue engaging with kids in a virtual setting.
“From the perspective of a teacher, I have always appreciated the work that Playworks coaches have contributed to our school community at the Grew,” says Mr. Wilburn, 3rd grade teacher at the Grew. “The structured games provided at recess, as well as the targeted activities for individual classes have supported students in feeling more confident in themselves and developing stronger relationships with their peers.”
In the era of remote learning, relationships are more important than ever in ensuring kids feel safe and supported in their school community. Mr. Wilburn continued:
“I’m so thankful that this impact can still be realized in the virtual learning context. Coach Shelby has worked to facilitate games and activities that are engaging and accessible to all students, and it truly makes a difference at a time when school continues to feel unsettling for many.
I try to intentionally build community with my students throughout the week, and Class Game Time with Coach Shelby is an important part of that process. For some students, Class Game Time is when I see their highest rate of participation. The activities provide leadership opportunities, choice, challenge, and spaces for reflection.
During breaks throughout the day, my students often ask to play a game that we tried in Class Games Time, and so it’s been helpful to integrate these activities into our day even when we aren’t with Coach Shelby. As for me, I enjoy the opportunity to engage in these activities with my students as a participant, and not just a facilitator. Class Game Time is definitely a highlight of my week, and many of my students!”
Please join us in giving a well-deserved whoosh clap to Coach Shelby – thank you for your hard work, dedication, and sense of humor!
