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About

I have always loved playing. When I attended my first New Games training I was hooked on the joy, laughter, and connection of engaged play. For my whole adult life I have studied the impact play has in everyone’s lives, particularly how it helps children learn and grow. 
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From Original Play with Fred Donaldson to Improv Theater training with Martin DeMaat, I have pursued all aspects of experiential education as it  relates to this world of play. The quote  “play is nature’s training for life” captures so much of  what I have come to believe and know.
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Today’s modern world often lacks a feeling of  connection and belonging, making play more important  than ever. When we play, we learn how to solve problems, how to handle conflict, how to use our imaginations, how to try new things, share empathy, and so much more.
 

Play is at the root of being human and it brings out our full potential, our joy, imagination and creativity.


I’ve spent my entire professional life teaching people to play; starting as a coach and now as a dedicated play specialist. I love sharing tidbits of research, philosophy, news, resources, and activities, and rolling it all together as an easily digestible package.

Are you interested in booking me as a speaker, professional development training or experiential workshop?  I look forward to sharing my passion with you...CLICK HERE

Biography

I’ve been facilitating workshops on communication for over 35 years, building relational trust and connection through play. As a former teacher, I deeply understand the value of safe and trusting relationships for effective classroom learning. As a successful coach, I understand how critical it is for peak performance. 

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I’ve been a faculty member at the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies for over 35 years and am the co-founder of The Adventure Game Theater, an improvisational learning process for teens (featured on PBS and NPR). Combining experiential learning with creativity, improvisational theater, play, community building, mythology and storytelling, the Adventure Game theater has brought magic into many young people’s lives. 

“The Adventure Game Theater is one of those experiences for which words seem inadequate. Brought to the Omega Institute in upstate New York 12 years ago by its creators, Howard Moody and Brian Allison, it is a colorful blend of fantasy, improvisation, and discovery--and all of it, for teenagers only.”
- Body and Soul with Gail Harris

Specializations

Additional Bio Information 

 

  • I assisted Daniel Rechtschaffen for 5 years in his groundbreaking Mindfulness in Education training for educators at the Omega Institute from 2014 to 2018. 

  • I mentored the Founders of Retribe in creating their innovative Rites of Passage teen Retreats. Their Adventure Game Theater Teen Retreat continues the work I co-created. I have been a teacher and recently the Director of Retribes teen camps for the last 11 years. 

  • I have been a consulting presenter with the Starling Collaborative, a Restorative Justice training organization for the past 5 years. 

  • I have trained extensively with Fred Donaldson, the creator of Original Play. 

  • I have been a keynote presenter and workshop presenter for the UVM/PBIS conference for the past two years.

  • The Adventure Game Theater camp I co-created has spawned numerous similar organizations including the Wayfinder Experience, Epic Adventurez, and Retribe.

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