Best New Job EVER

There is totally something to be said for reading those GSE wide email newsletters because I just got the best new job on the face of the planet. So I am working on a joint grant project between the department of public health and GSE to study/implement socialized recess in urban, underfunded Philadelphia elementary schools. Basically, the program uses volunteers to organize cooperative play through sports and games during recess time to increase physical activity and reduce fight related injuries. The schools involved in this project typically have two or three aids per 120 students therefore there is little opportunity to organize a game. Generally the aids aren’t paid very well and they have to spend most of their time surveying the crowded lunchroom room or play yard rather than engaging with the students. This program hopes to provide the support needed in order to make recess and lunch an enjoyable, productive, and healthy experience.

So basically, I will be working with incredible leaders in child development to develop positive behavior incentives, and brilliant public health officials who hope to evaluate student experience, while my job will be to play with the students. I am getting paid to go to recess. It is the best job in the world! Who doesn’t want to play dodgeball and kickball and mash?