How this educator integrates Dungeons & Dragons into the curriculum

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I grew up in the 1980s and Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) was a big part of my adolescence. I was definitely a child who fell into oblivion because I didn't want people to notice me.

As a high school student with undiagnosed learning difficulties, who often felt misunderstood, D&D became my escape. It was a way to immerse myself in a world where I could be whoever I wanted, at a time when I didn't feel like I fit in anywhere. Like many parents at the time, mine was concerned about the game's reputation. They even joined a support group for parents of children who played D&D! Looking back, it's kind of funny, but it also highlights how different things were back then.

Fast forward to 2024, which marks the game's 50th anniversary. I am now an English teacher and case manager at NewHope Academy in Arlington Heights, Illinois, where we integrate Dungeons & Dragons into our curriculum. After a brief stint as a musician in my 20s, I knew I needed a plan B, which would lead me to a career in education.

I felt a real passion for making sure children didn't feel isolated like I did growing up. I've worked in school for twice-exceptional students (those who are gifted and have learning or developmental challenges) for almost 20 years, and having play as part of my job is a coming full circle moment. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to use something I loved as a teenager to support my students today.

NewHope Academy students are bright, imaginative and full of potential, but often struggle with social interaction and teamwork. That's where D&D comes into play. The game naturally encourages collaboration and problem solving, skills that may be difficult for these students to practice in traditional academic settings.

D&D was introduced to NewHope by another teacher in 2010 after reading studies indicating that tabletop role-playing games can give people with autism a low-risk way to engage in social interactions. Since then, it has evolved into something much bigger. Today, it's so popular at our school that we offer a Dungeons & Dragons elective and also have an after-school club to help new players get started.

Our students are so completely invested in their characters and stories that they often don't even realize that they are practicing math, language arts, and critical thinking along the way. For example, dice rolls involve basic algebra and arithmetic, which are reinforced by friendly peer pressure. When students care about the outcome of the game and the events they help construct through their actions, plot elements and arcs are demonstrated, peppered with archetypes and literary tropes. Whether they're calculating ability or challenge scores or writing character stories, they're constantly learning, without feeling like they're sitting in a typical class.

More importantly, Dungeons & Dragons has helped create a sense of community among our students. As other educators may know, this group of students is often very reluctant to work in groups. Many of them struggle with shyness and social connections. Through play, they learn to work as a team and support each other. I have seen students who were once introverted and reserved give confident presentations, and I have seen friendships that may never have existed outside of the classroom.

To me, D&D is more than just a game or pop culture nostalgia; It is a powerful tool that helps my students thrive. When you stop to think about it, it's quite surprising how many educational goals the game can help students try to achieve. It allows them to embrace their creativity, practice essential academic skills, and most importantly, feel like they belong. As someone who felt like a misfit as a teenager and as a long-time special needs educator, there is nothing more rewarding than that.