Mary Nunaley
- Jan 31
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 2
My Full Name
Mary Nunaley
My Skool Community Name
Connected Through Play
Brief Personal Background
I’m a former single parent homeschool and sports mom. I’m a career changer from restaurant manager to educator to small business owner and now a grandmama who loves turning everyday moments into meaningful memories. You’ll usually find me in the kitchen experimenting, reading, playing games or finding ways to make home feel warmer and more connected. I’m curious by nature and I genuinely believe play is one of the most powerful forms of love.
Brief Professional Background
I’m a learning engineer and co-founder of the Lavender Dragon Team, where we design human-centered learning experiences that make complex topics feel relatable. My work blends instructional design, storytelling, and practical AI use so learners don’t just learn, they change what they do. We build trainings and content systems that are engaging, accessible, and built to stick.
How did you discover Skool?
I discovered Skool through Katya McEwen and her Oracle Card Magic community.
What inspired you to start your Skool community?
I kept seeing caring adults, especially parents and grandparents, who desired to connect more deeply with their kids but felt unsure what to do or say in the moment. Connected Through Play was born from the belief that you don’t need perfect plans; you need simple prompts, tiny rituals, and permission to be playful. I set out to create a space where curiosity, cooking, conversation, and play live side by side and where “we can do this” feels true for real families.
What transformation do your members experience?
Members go from “I want to connect, but I don’t know how” to having simple, repeatable ways to create meaningful moments without prepping like a teacher. They build confidence and consistency: more connection, less pressure.
Who is your ideal community member?
A parent, grandparent, or caring adult with kids ages roughly 3–11 who wants more connection and wants it to feel warm, doable, and fun. They value relationship over perfection and they’re open to trying small things that add up.
What’s one unexpected lesson you’ve learned from running your community?
Tiny traditions beat big plans. When you give people a simple prompt they can use tonight, connection happens fast and confidence follows.
If someone is considering joining your community, what would you tell them?
If you want more meaningful connection with the kids you love without overthinking it, this is for you. Come as you are, grab a prompt, and start building your own “connected through play” rhythm one small moment at a time.
Link to my Skool community’s About page
Comments