Meet Coach John Our Playworks Coach
Hello!
My name is John Walgamuth and I’m your school’s Playworks Site Coordinator. This school year, I’ll be bringing the power of play to your school -- both at recess and in the classroom. Your students can expect to learn a ton of awesome new games, fun claps and cheers, and will get to experience a safe, healthy, and inclusive environment every day!
Before joining Playworks, I was an elementary school teacher on the South Side of Chicago. I taught 1st grade and 4th grade math, and while I loved my role in the classroom, my favorite moments of being a teacher came from helping my students solve conflicts and finding fun ways to bring play into my lessons. Growing up, I was a very active kid, and I was privileged to have access to safe and healthy play from an early age. Playing organized sports was how I learned the important skills of building relationships with my peers, working together with others, and building confidence in myself. But as an educator, I saw that far too many of my students lacked the opportunities to learn those important skills. So, when I decided to move on from my role in the classroom, I was determined to find an organization that helps bridge that gap and brings the benefits of safe and healthy play to every child. I have been with Playworks for three years now, and I still sometimes can’t believe that I get to do this for a living!
If you’d like to know more about Playworks or myself, my contact info is listed below. I’m looking forward to an awesome school year!
Playfully yours,
John “Coach John” Walgamuth
Pronouns: he, him, his
Playworks Site Coordinator & Certified Trainer
john.walgamuth@playworks.org
www.playworks.org/southern-california
