Project MARS/AmeriCorps collects “Great Stories” from its members in which they reflect on their experiences mentoring in the classroom and the progress they see in students. This month’s story was written by Joel Warsing, pictured.
When I first started playing Dungeons and Dragons in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, I thought of it as a fun way to reconnect with friends during a period of extreme isolation. Four years later, I never would’ve expected it to strengthen new connections with the students at my service site.
One student in particular will beckon me over nearly every lunch and recess to inform me of his new idea for a character or storyline. More often than not, his ideas are for his classmates instead of himself. I have watched him switch from standoffish and tense with classmates to opening up when they show an interest in a picture or an idea in the many D&D books that he brings to school.
It has been a privilege to serve with children for many reasons, but seeing the creativity and social skills that Dungeons and Dragons helps develop is chief among them. The school I am serving with has caught on to this as well, developing a D&D elective to encourage this fascinating and engaging hobby.
I could not be happier to have gained this connection through what feels like happenstance, and I can only hope that the children I serve with hold on to these connections and creative problem-solving skills for the foreseeable future.
