michigan team

We are Katie Bennett and Shanel Talbert, co-leaders of Say YES to Recess Michigan. We met during conversations about recess reduction in our school district and instantly connected over a shared belief: kids need time to play.

Both of us saw the real impact this change could have—not just on academic performance, but on emotional well-being, behavior, and connection. As moms and advocates, we knew we couldn’t sit back. So we joined forces, connected with the original chapter in Tennessee, and launched the Michigan chapter together.

Our mission is clear: we are advocating for a minimum of 60 minutes of daily recess for every elementary student. Research, including the groundbreaking Liink Project from Texas Christian University, shows that children thrive when given multiple unstructured breaks throughout the day—improving focus, reducing behavior issues, and supporting long-term health.

Now we are building a community of parents, educators, and advocates who want to protect and prioritize play through research, collaboration, and action.

We’re just getting started, and we’re so glad you are here with us.