Play boldly. Grow creatively.

This summer, I immersed myself in one of my favorite themes: play. I had the opportunity to attend three play conferences—two here in the U.S. and one in England—and each experience was equal parts informative and fun. What struck me most was the creativity and boldness of the educators I met, coming from all over the world. They are pushing the boundaries of what a classroom can look like.

From escape rooms that challenge students to problem-solve, to "who dunnit" mysteries that turn learning into detective work, to Legos being used as a tool for engagement, the list was endless. I heard about puzzle-based learning and even Jenga being repurposed as a training method for future medical professionals. What I walked away with was this: play isn’t frivolous—it’s powerful. It fosters creativity, deepens learning, and builds connections. My summer was a reminder that play isn’t just for kids. It’s a lifelong learning tool. And as I look ahead to this academic year, I can’t wait to weave more of these playful approaches into my own classrooms