Coach Kaitlin is a site coordinator working in four elementary schools in Taunton, MA. This is the first year Playworks has worked in the Taunton School District, but already Coach Kait has transformed recess and built meaningful relationships with staff and students.
As a site coordinator, Coach Kait rotates between four schools, spending a week at each school facilitating Playworks programs including recess, Junior Coach training, and Class Game Time. Not only are these schools new to Playworks, but they are also very large schools–three of them have over 500 students. But Coach Kait faces each challenge with professionalism and positivity which has helped make the Playworks program successful in each of her schools.
Coach Kait works closely with the recess teams in Taunton, tailoring her programming to meet the specific needs of students. She has compiled resources for every recess team member to ensure that they are able to support safe and healthy play during the weeks she isn’t present in her schools. Coach Kait’s attention to detail has helped create a positive school environment and empowered both students and adults to get in the game at recess.
You will always find Coach Kait playing alongside students and giving high-fives and “nice try’s” to all. Coach Kait’s positive impact on her schools is evident when you see how students light up when they see her in the hallway!
“I like Coach Kait because she is kind and caring,” says Junior Coach Jocelyn from Bennett Elementary School. “She helps us figure out how to solve problems we have while we are coaching. If we make a mistake, she tells us and helps us learn from it. If Coach Kait wasn’t her, we wouldn’t be the Junior Coaches we are now!”
Junior Coaches from Elizabeth Pole School share that “Coach Kait helps us learn new games and encourages everyone to participate. She also is good at helping solve conflicts and supports us while we do our jobs. She has a positive attitude and makes sure we have one as well! Another important thing is that Coach Kait models for us how to include all kids.”
We are lucky to have a dedicated and collaborative coach like Kaitlin on our Playworks team in Taunton. We know she will continue to bring out the best in her students and colleagues for the rest of the school year!
