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Maplewood is proud to partner with Playworks to make recess a fun, inclusive time for every student in our community. is the leading nonprofit in Oregon and nationally using play to transform schools. A Playworks recess creates a place for every kid on the playground to feel included, be active, and build valuable social and emotional skills.
On Playworks playgrounds across the country, kids play hard, cheer loud, and high five with joy. They settle their conflicts quickly and fairly with rock, paper, scissors and they carry a feeling of empowerment and belonging with them into their classrooms, back to their neighborhoods and out into the world.
Alexander Kelley (Coach Alex) is Playworks' site coordinator at Maplewood. He has worked with the Maplewood staff to develop a rotation of inclusive recess games and trained "junior coaches" to help facilitate fun recesses when he's not at the school. Alex grew up in eastern Massachusetts and got his B.A. in Environmental Studies at Gustavus Adolphus College. Chasing his passion for teaching, he then earned his Master’s Certificate in Environmental Education at Antioch University. Having worked closely with kids for over three years, Alex has given particular attention to fostering student growth and empowerment through play, and it is for this reason that he found himself drawn to Playworks. Looking forward to his first year with the organization, Alex is eager to facilitate social emotional development through games with everyone he works with. When Alex isn’t working, you can find him trekking PNW nature trails, practicing martial arts, or spending time with his friends.
