The best decision I made last semester was to apply to become a Playful Pedagogy Fellow. It has always been a goal of mine to continuously refine and elevate my craft as a teacher, and the Playful Pedagogy Fellowship (PPF) was a new, exciting stop on that path. I have many things to say about PPF, but I will limit myself to three: First, it should be made clear that Nan Mullenneaux is a genius. I have been singing Nan's praises since the day that I met her. She is welcoming, kind, and generous. She is an encyclopedia… read more about Candis Watts Smith, Professor of Political Science »
The playful pedagogy workshop reminded me that learning is fun and dynamic and that there are many ways to reach our learning outcomes. I found myself incorporating playful pedagogy tactics frequently in my Spanish classes, employing mainly activities focused on active listening, representation of ideas and opinions through the arts, and games to make your peers look and feel good to lower students' affective filters. My students reflected during their mid-semester and final reflections that some of the… read more about Rebecca Ewing, Lecturing Fellow of Romance Studies »
Working with an established cohort to explore the possibilities that improv techniques could bring to our pedagogy was a very enriching experience, and Nan’s guidance and leadership through this process was invaluable—her knowledge and experience, but also her warmth and support and creativity throughout.While generally I prefer working with Fellows drawn from multiple departments and to step outside my usual language silo, this might be one case where I would recommend a fellows with a language focus if possible, just… read more about Laura Florand, Senior Lecturer of Romance Studies »
I thought it was important to remark on my experience as a Playful Pedagogy Fellow, 2025. I have always really enjoyed improv, and so admire the players on Whose Line Is It Anyway, for example. I always knew that when these players participated in improv, that they were learning together, and making meaning together. I love to see that happen, and I often laugh out loud, way louder than I should. It makes me happy to suspend my disbelief, and I am able to “buy in” to whatever the premise is, no questions asked. I learn so… read more about Melissa Simmermeyer, Senior Lecturer of Romance Studies »
I’ve really enjoyed this series of Playful Pedagogy workshops. Our team members came from diverse backgrounds, and we worked together to brainstorm and design more engaging classroom activities. I especially appreciate Nan—our wonderful and passionate leader—who always brought energy and thoughtful preparation to each meeting. She inspired me to see that language teaching can be both “serious” and “fun” at the same time.My notebook is now filled with game ideas that, with just a few small adaptations, I can easily use in my… read more about Ya-Chuan Chou, Lecturing Fellow in the Department of Asian & Middle Eastern Studies »