Meet Ms. Hawkins!

  1. Updates

Ms. Hawkin’s understands that collaboration is the best way to accomplish her goals and is working to weave the values from Playworks into the fabric of Dr. George Washington Carver Academy of Math and Science, a school that has been labeled as one of the toughest schools in the Milwaukee Public School system, riddled with bullying, high dropout rate, and low test scores.

Ms. Hawkins believes strongly in building a healthy school community and understands this involves not only a bonded team of educators but also includes bringing families into the school for positives. She recognizes that we can be a catalyst for this kind of outreach and works as a thought partner to make it a reality. Examples include: school-wide assembly to emphasize Playworks values and student safety, planning of an end-of-year community engagement event, and teacher trainings that emphasize team and incorporate Playworks activities. Most of all Ms. Hawkins is persistent and driven; she was transferred to a school with many students under stress that manifests in aggression and violence, teachers feeling divided and defeated, and parents who viewed school as an adversary.

“At the beginning of last year, Carver was like Ground Zero. Today, instead of hitting and punching, you see kids using rock-paper-scissors as a way to solve conflicts at recess. Kids are playing together in constructive ways and even the faculty seems more positive as well,” says Ms. Hawkins. Through it all she has kept her head up and has utilized Playworks as a partner to unify and shift the school climate for the better, never giving-up on her kids or her vision.

More Updates


January 24, 2024

Indoor Recess Transition Plan ›

From snow and cold to rain, smog, and everything in between, weather can throw a wrench in your outdoor recess plans. When inclement weather strikes, transitioning to indoor play can…

December 18, 2023

Playworks recognized as a NYSS Champion ›

Playworks becomes an NYSS Champion Playworks is pleased to be recognized by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services…

December 6, 2023

Waukesha County Community Foundation at recess with Swanson Elementary ›

Here at Playworks we believe in seeing our impact firsthand. Often for a lot of people, it’s hard to grasp what we do without ever seeing our team in action…