Meet Coaches Hayley, Jordan, & Willa!

AmeriCorps is a network of local, state, and national service programs that connects over 70,000 Americans each year in intensive service to meet community needs in education, the environment, public safety, health, and homeland security. AmeriCorps’ members serve with more than 2,000 non-profits, public agencies, and community organizations.

Simply put, AmeriCorps members are dedicated to strengthening communities. In 2004, Playworks was awarded its first AmeriCorps contract. This year, Playworks Pacific Northwest is proud to have 15 members serving with us at our partner school communities. Get to know our AmeriCorps coaches!

Coach Hayley is serving her second year as an AmeriCorps member at Ogden Elementary School in Vancouver. Learn more about her below:

Hometown
Portland, OR

What inspired you to join Playworks?
I wanted to join a community that focuses on creating positive environments for kiddos regardless of their socioeconomic status.

What is your favorite Playworks core value and why?
Inclusion. Looking out at a Playworks Playground and seeing Junior Coaches and other students actively inviting others to play regardless of their ability levels fills my bucket every day.

What is your favorite game/sport?
Foursquare

How do you usually relax after a long day?
Play with my dog, Sammy.

What is your guilty pleasure?
Sushi. So much sushi.

Tell us two fun facts about yourself!
I am a Scottish Highland Dancer and I’ve been to more countries than I have states. 

Coach Jordan is serving her first year as an AmeriCorps member at Highland Elementary School in the Gresham School District. Learn more about her below:

Hometown
Bremerton, WA

What inspired you to join Playworks?
I enjoy working with kids and would like to be a school counselor someday.

What is your favorite Playworks core value and why?
Inclusion because that’s what my recesses needed when I was a kid.

What is your favorite game/sport?
4 Square

How do you usually relax after a long day?
Cooking, reading, and hanging out with friends.

What is your guilty pleasure?
Kombucha

Tell us two fun facts about yourself!
I rode a camel once and I was stung by a lions mane jellyfish swimming in the Puget Sound. 

Coach Willa is serving her first year as an AmeriCorps member at Woodmere Elementary School! Learn more about her below:

Hometown
Ashland, OR

What inspired you to join Playworks?
Playworks’ work to decrease bullying through the power of play is what inspired me to join the Playworks team.

What is your favorite Playworks core value and why?
Inclusion because every kid should feel included while at school.

What is your favorite game/sport?
My favorite recess game is Chewbacca and my favorite sport is ultimate frisbee.

How do you usually relax after a long day?
Read a good book or watch some TV.

What is your guilty pleasure?
Watching reality TV.

Tell us two fun facts about yourself!
I played the cello and french horn when I was a kid. 

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