Meet Coach Pam

  1. Updates

Volunteer Turned Coach

“Even when times get hard, I find myself never giving up. Rather, I make the situation positive and make new friends in the process.”

Beginning in 11th grade, I was inspired by several life experiences to become an elementary school teacher. As I grew older and gained experience coaching, working at summer camps, and as a college intern with Playworks, my love for education and children grew. The Playworks college internship provided me the opportunity to experience serving children in a way I have never experienced. As a result, I fell in love with Playworks’ mission and decided to join the Playworks family as an AmeriCorps coach.

Becoming a Playworks AmeriCorps coach was a life changer. AmeriCorps has helped me make a better life for myself and help others in the process. As a second year AmeriCorps member, I am greatly appreciative for the outlet it has given me to further my education. In addition, serving has impacted my life in such a positive way that I do not see work as work, but as simply giving back to my community. The feeling I get after helping others, especially our youth, is unexplainable. Even when times get hard, I find myself never giving up. Rather, I make the situation positive and make new friends in the process.

Over all, my experience as a Playworks AmeriCorps member has been personally meaningful and inspiring. It has led me to build strong relationships within my community, with myself, and with others. I am proud to be a AmeriCorps member!


Interested in becoming a Playworks AmeriCorps member? Learn more!

 

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 explore. Researchers, scientists, and doctors have studied the effects of play on kids–and adults–and understand that this natural behavior has tremendous benefits. As the American…

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 question: what are the intersections between play, social and emotional learning, physical activity, and trauma? A working group focused on this question decided, among other…

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, have demonstrated precisely how and why play works to help kids learn and grow in the most positive and healthy ways. Jill gathered stories from people…