Coach Michelle Makes a Difference

  1. Updates

Coach Michelle -Aka- "BIG Meesh" is a rookie AmeriCorps coach at one of our first year schools, Henry C. Lea.

In just a few short months she has made a huge impact on the school and has created an environment where every child wants to play. In addition to her school, she is impacting the community by participating in various community service projects throughout the city of Philadelphia as an AmeriCorps coach. Coach Michelle is our Rock Star Coach.

More Updates


January 10, 2023

Understanding the Complex Simplicities of Play ›

Play is a behavior that is natural and has existed for thousands of years and across species. It combines a set of made-up rules or norms and a willingness to…

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,…