Meet Dr. Cathy Ramstetter
Recess Champion. Joyfully embracing my work inspiring, informing and empowering educators and parents for kids.
I am the author of Why Recess Matters The Importance of Unstructured Play and How to Fight for It, a one-stop-shop for parents, with cutting-edge knowledge and concrete advice from dozens of recess researchers and advocates to inform, inspire, and empower them to make a difference in the way recess is designed, delivered, and experienced, to “do recess better.”
I am a School Health Consultant & Recess Advocate with Successful Healthy Children. My work focuses on promoting, designing, and delivering quality, playful recess for all students, K-12.
I am a founding member of the Global Recess Alliance and co-author of the American Academy of Pediatrics Policy on Recess.
In October of 2022, I was surprised and honored when the International Play Association-USA named me a Doctor of Play in recognition of my achievements in advocating for the child’s right to play.
And in 2019, I was recognized as a Fellow of the American School Health Association for my contributions to ASHA’s work in communities across the country to help every school be a place where children and adults learn and thrive.
What I really love is working directly with parents and students to make recess better at their school.
In addition to the publication of the American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statement on Recess, Cathy’s research on recess has been published in the Journal of School Health as well as professional publications for educators: American Educator (the quarterly publication for the American Federation of Teachers) and Principal Leadership (middle and high school principals). Cathy along with friend and colleague Dr. Charlene Brickman, has writtent for The Toy Association’s Genius of Play about how parents can advocate for playful recess.
She has also presented her research at local, state, national and international conferences, and delivered workshops and training for schools. She has been interviewed by USA Today, Time magazine, and ABCNews, as well as other radio and news outlets. Cathy has had the joy of discussing recess and play in schools as a featured guest on podcasts with Dr. Debbie Rhea, Dr. Sarah Aiono, and Dr. Deb Lawrence.
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