Junior is a 5th grade Junior Coach at the Michael J. Perkins Elementary School in South Boston. Coach Carolyn, site coordinator at Perkins, nominated Junior as Junior Coach of the Month because he has been a consistent, quiet leader who sets a good example for both his peers and younger students.
“I have other Junior Coaches who are very extroverted they can explain games and do everything,” says Coach Carolyn. “But I see Junior maneuvering and getting along with his peers. I see him doing the things he’s supposed to do on his shifts and I admire him for it. I think he’s a good kid and he has fun!”
This is Junior’s first year as a Junior Coach. Since the Junior Coach program kicked off in October, Coach Carolyn has been teaching her group at Perkins about group games, facilitation, expectations, and how to be a good leader. Junior demonstrates these skills every day while staying positive and getting along with his peers.
At a recent recess, Junior was playing four-square with third graders during his recess shift. He noticed that there were a lot of students participating so instead of continuing to play the game, he stepped out to watch the game and help the students make calls. Coach Carolyn was very impressed with his leadership in this situation. “I thought that was very big of him to step up,” she said.
This is just one example of Junior going above and beyond as a leader. We are proud to have Junior on our Playworks team at Perkins. We know he will continue to make a difference every day by showing respect and setting a positive example on the playground.
Q & A with Junior Coach Junior
Q: How does it feel to be selected as the Junior Coach of the Month?
It feels really good because Coach Carolyn thinks I did well teaching people new games and showing the kids new things.
Q: What’s your favorite part about being a Junior Coach?
My favorite part of being a Junior Coach is playing with the third graders and teaching them new games so they don’t just play the same thing over and over again.
Q: What have you learned from Coach Carolyn at Junior Coach Training?
I’ve learned that you have to take turns with people. You can’t have one person doing all the work with the other people being left out.
Q: What is a piece of advice you would give to other Junior Coaches who want to be successful?
I would tell them that they should teach kids new games so they don’t have to keep playing the same game over and over again.
Q: What is your favorite game to play at recess?
My favorite game to play is four-square or basketball with the kids in third grade.
