For Teacher Appreciation Week, we wanted to highlight one of our most vocal classroom champions, Tracy Carroll.
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Tracy is a teacher who shows up for her students in every way she can.

At Hoover Middle School, creativity is often required in the face of limited resources. Even with a low supply of tools, educators still have to find ways to make learning engaging and memorable. For Tracy, that solution came from an unexpected place. After bringing Nex Playground into her family’s routine and seeing how naturally it brought people together, she began to imagine what that same experience could look like for her students, and how it might motivate them in the classroom.

With the support of DonorsChoose.org and The Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation, that idea became a reality. Tracy was able to bring two Nex Playground systems into her school, opening the door to something new.

This is what it looks like to support kids through movement.

Moving, Learning, and Laughing with Nex Playground

To celebrate getting funded, Tracy hosted a “Donut and Play” party for her students. They gathered in the school cafeteria, using the extra space to project Playground onto a big screen. What started as a simple setup quickly turned into something much bigger, drawing the attention of students, staff, and anyone passing by.

“Our instructional coach stopped by and was blown away by how easy it was to use. She’s already brainstorming classroom applications, and even a police officer passing through couldn’t help but stop and watch, commenting on how cool it was!” Tracy said. 

For something so small, Nex Playground had no trouble filling the entire room with energy and curiosity. Students jumped into games like Bowling: Strike!, Basketball Knockout, and Go Keeper—moving, laughing, and fully immersed in the experience.

One student shared, “The bowling game feels so real. I don’t even feel like I’m just playing a game. It feels like I’m actually there.”

Beyond the excitement, something else was taking shape. Tracy noticed her students building important social and academic skills in real time: taking turns, problem-solving, practicing teamwork, and engaging in cooperative play. Students of all abilities joined in without hesitation. There was no need for complicated setup or prior experience—their bodies were the controller, making it easy for everyone to participate.

For Tracy, this afternoon in the school cafeteria was a clear example of how she sees Playground fitting into her teaching practice.

“I can’t recommend the Nex Playground enough for teachers at any grade level. From preschool to college classrooms, this technology brings movement, engagement, and excitement to learning. The ease of use, variety of games, and the way it gets students moving make it a must-have resource for any school.”

When Play Sparks Something Bigger

Thanks to support from DonorsChoose.org and The Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation, Tracy was able to try something new by bringing Nex Playground into her school and opening up new ways for students to engage with learning.

Moments like these show how powerful it can be when learning feels active and social, even outside of a formal lesson. When students are given the chance to move, collaborate, and respond in real time, the energy shifts. Participation becomes more natural, confidence builds, and the classroom starts to feel like a place you want to be.

Since working with Tracy and seeing the impact Playground had in her school, we’ve expanded our Playground for Good donation program to include schools that meet specific criteria.

We would love to hear how Nex Playground supports movement in your life! Join the Facebook Nex Playground Insider group to share your story.