Improv Workshops & Consulting for Educators
The Most Engaging Classrooms Have Something in Common
The best teachers aren't just knowledgeable — they're present. They read the room. They adapt when a lesson isn't landing. They create psychological safety that makes students willing to try, fail, and try again. They hold attention without demanding it.
These are not personality traits. They are learnable skills. And they happen to be exactly what improvisation teaches.
Change Through Play has been delivering improv-based professional development for educators since 2020, when teachers around the world were suddenly thrown into virtual classrooms with cameras off, mics muted, and students disengaged. What started as a response to a crisis became something we've continued ever since — because the skills it develops are just as valuable in a physical classroom as a virtual one.
What Educators Learn
Our two-day virtual workshop is designed specifically for teachers, facilitators, administrators, school counselors, and instructional coordinators. It's built around two core questions: how do you set up your environment for maximum engagement, and how do you use applied improvisation exercises to reach every type of learner?
Day One — Environment & Technology We start with the fundamentals of your physical or virtual setup — the tools, the configuration, and the specific settings that make the difference between a flat experience and an engaging one. For virtual educators, this covers computers, microphones, lighting, audio and video settings, and how to leverage the unique advantages of the online format. For those moving between virtual and physical spaces, we discuss how to set up a classroom and which tools — projectors, speakers, small stages — can be used to great advantage.
Day Two — Applied Improv Exercises for Every Learner Day Two is where the magic happens. We explore the different styles of learning and introduce improv exercises specifically designed to engage each one — verbal, physical, written, and emotional. These are exercises you can take directly into your classroom the next day. No theater background required. No performance anxiety. Just practical, immediately usable tools.
Every participant receives:
Downloadable class videos for personal review
A 12-page handout on affordable technology to buy and why
A 12-page handout on how to set up your technology correctly
A 20-page handout of applied improv exercises broken down by learning category
A 15–30 minute follow-up call or Zoom to answer questions after you've had time to implement
A pic from one of our Educator Workshops.
Who This Workshop Is For
Our educator workshops attract teachers and administrators at every level — elementary through university — as well as instructional coaches, school counselors, and curriculum coordinators. If you work in education and your job involves engaging groups of people, this workshop was built for you.
Since 2020 we've welcomed educators from across the United States, the United Kingdom, Central America, and Scandinavia. Individual teachers who attended have brought us back to train their entire school staff. That's the best endorsement we know.
Virtual, School-Wide & Private Options
Individual Workshop Enrollment Our two-day virtual workshop runs periodically throughout the year. Get in touch to ask about upcoming dates and availability.
School & District Training We work with principals and district administrators to deliver staff-wide professional development — either as a virtual workshop or in person at your school or district offices in the Portland metro area. Contact us to discuss your team's specific needs and budget.
Consulting In addition to workshops, we offer consulting on educational processes, procedures, and tools — drawing on David Koff's 25 years as a technologist and 30 years as an improviser and facilitator.
Get in touch to discuss your needs
A Note on Professional Development Credits
We do not currently offer Oregon clock hours or professional development credits for our educator workshops — but this is something we are actively exploring. Join our mailing list to be notified when credentialed options become available.
About Your Facilitator
David Koff is the founder of Change Through Play. He brings a rare combination of 25+ years as a technologist and over 30 years as a professional improviser & facilitator — making him uniquely qualified to help educators navigate both the technical and human sides of classroom engagement. David has trained educators, business leaders, attorneys, and mental health professionals, and has delivered workshops to participants on four continents.
What Educators Are Saying
"David is a dynamic instructor with a wealth of knowledge and experience to share. He is thoughtful and clear when instructing or providing feedback. Sessions are full of movement and fun! He makes it easy to see how the activities he shares can be applied at any age level of classroom. His handouts are thorough and packed full of great information that is easily accessible, regardless of experience level." — Kathy Mincer, Teacher, Gresham, OR
"David brought our staff together, helped us have fun, and learn some very useful skills to build community with our students. I only wish we had more time — it was awesome!" — Curtis Semana, Principal, Highland Park Middle School, OR
"David is a passionate instructor who provides a well prepared workshop, addressing some of the most crucial tools needed for participants to successfully use applied improv on Zoom. If you're an instructor looking to become more comfortable and happier when teaching online, this is the workshop for you." — Noha Mousbah, Teacher, Stockholm, Sweden
Ready to Transform Your Classroom?
Whether you're an individual teacher looking to sharpen your skills or a principal planning your next staff development day, we'd love to talk.
Get in Touch | Book a Meeting | Learn More About Our Approach
Change Through Play is based in Portland, Oregon and delivers educator workshops virtually to teachers and administrators worldwide.