Tabletop EDU

The Mission

Tabletop EDU Nonprofit, a 501(c)(3) organization, empowers learners and educators through innovative, educational tabletop gaming experiences. Our educational modules are designed to develop academic skills, socioemotional competencies, and foster critical thinking, creativity, and teamwork.

We believe that tabletop gaming offers unique and transformational learning opportunities, and our goal is to make these experiences accessible and effective for all.

Through the creation of resources, training, and a supportive community, we strive to create a positive impact on learners' lives, helping them develop the

skills they need to succeed now and in the future.

TTRPG's & Learning

An Integrated Framework

Tabletop Role-Playing Games (TTRPGs) have begun to emerge as valuable educational tools that meld storytelling with critical skill development, enhancing both academic and emotional intelligence. Our integrated framework highlights how TTRPGs foster a broad spectrum of learning opportunities, from literacy enhancement to socio-emotional growth. These games are not just about interactive entertainment; they engage players in complex narratives and decision-making that promote cognitive, emotional, and social skills vital for contemporary life.

In TTRPGs, "literacy" goes beyond basic reading and writing—players interpret complex texts, engage in detailed concept development, and articulate strategies, enhancing communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. The immersive role-playing experience allows players to explore different personas, facilitating deep self-reflection and personal growth. This reflective practice is bolstered by activities such as character journals and group discussions, linking game experiences to real-world applications and emotional intelligence.

Moreover, TTRPGs serve as an antidote to digital overload, providing a restorative experience that refocuses attention and rejuvenates cognitive capacities through engaging, screen-free interactions. These games also support the development of 21st-century skills such as collaboration, creativity, and leadership within a structured yet dynamic learning environment. By integrating TTRPGs into educational settings, educators can transform traditional teaching methods and inspire students to embrace a holistic approach to learning and development.

Our Values

Inclusiveness: We value diversity and seeks to make tabletop gaming accessible to all learners, regardless of background or experience.

Empowerment: We're here to level you up! We empower learners and educators to take control of their own learning and development, and to use tabletop gaming as a tool to achieve their goals.

Collaboration: Teamwork and collaboration are core principles in TRPGs, and we seek to build on this by creating a supportive community where learners and educators can work together and learn from one another.

Fun: If people are not excited to engage we are doing something wrong. We value the importance of play and recognizes that tabletop gaming can be a source of joy and purpose for learners and educators alike.

Professionalism: Our ethics are our foundation. We value professionalism and are committed to providing high-quality resources, training, and support to educators

Impact: Great games can change lives. We are committed to using tabletop gaming to help learners develop the skills they need to succeed both academically and personally.

Current Projects

Explore our latest initiatives harnessing tabletop games and TRPGs to enhance learning and engagement.

Adventures In Teaching & Learning With TTRPGs

We’re on an epic quest to bring together academic research and practical application of role playing games - to maximize learning with RPGs anywhere!

Adventures in Teaching and Learning with TTRPGs is a resource designed to transform how educators, game designers, and facilitators use tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) to enhance learning. This crowd-funded book combines insightful essays, practical design resources, and engaging modules to demonstrate the educational power of TTRPGs.

Aimed at classroom instructors, after-school program coordinators, homeschooling parents, and academics, the book offers a comprehensive guide to employing TTRPGs in educational settings.

AI and Art in the TTRPG community is an important topic to address. Please find our statement on AI and art for our TTRPG Edu eBook project below:

"We believe in responsible and ethical use of content and intellectual property. Our project is occasionally enhanced through feedback by AI chatbots, such as Grammarly, for feedback and suggestions on our book copy and content. Our Art Director, Michael Walton, uses a blend of original art and ethical AI assisted art. This art is trained on his own art as well as copyright clean art (such as Adobe’s Firefly) to produce ethically responsible art. We use these AI tools to make the product possible given our stance as a nonprofit and to maximize our ability to impact our educational and community development goals and outcomes. As we scale, we will continue to support artists and creatives with our products and services - thank you!"

-Garrett and the TabletopEDU Inc. Team

Meet The Team

Discover the passionate experts dedicated to innovating education through tabletop games and TRPGs!

Garrett Munro

Garrett is an instructional designer who has taught with tabletop games for fifteen years, including ESL in China and Hong Kong. His master’s work focused on video games and learning, but he now explores various instructional design formats especially TTRPGs in applied settings. A notable project involves using TTRPGs to develop info-lit skills and exploring how roleplaying STEM jobs might change students real world interests. A doctoral student, he focuses on TTRPGs for literacy and learning. Garrett has played D&D since 7th grade and is still trying to get access to the Spell Sword prestige class. Garrett@tabletopEDU.org

Maryanne Cullinan

Maryanne Cullinan, a Sandford award-winning middle school teacher in New Hampshire, extensively uses TTRPGs in her teaching.

A doctoral student at Lesley University, she studies how TRPGs support diverse learners. She has presented at numerous conferences, including Wizards of the Coast, PAX Unplugged, and SXSWEDU.

Currently, she's co-writing a teaching pack for the TTRPG Inspirisles and studying TTRPGs for Extended School Year in Special Education. @culliope

Michael J. Walton

Michael is a seasoned Creative Director with over a decade of experience in the branding and design industry. Currently, at Pixelland Media Group in Augusta, Georgia.

Michael's career began at Reel FX Creative Studios in Dallas/Fort Worth, where he honed his skills in lighting and compositing as well as team and shot management. With a BS in Visual Effects from the Savannah College of Art and Design, Michael has a strong foundation in visual storytelling and design that has underpinned his professional journey.

Michael is passionate about bringing creative visions to life and fostering strong, collaborative relationships with clients to deliver exceptional results.

Laura D'Aveta Ph.D.

Laura received her Ph.D. in Education with a focus on Children’s Literature from Penn State and her MLIS from Kent State. Prior, she was the Subject Librarian for the English Department at Texas A&M. Laura transitioned to academia after many years working in the legal field as a paralegal and business information analyst and liaison.
D’Aveta, L. (2020).“Projective Worlds: Minecraft and MCAlagaësia.” In Studying Gaming Literacies (pp. 85-95). Brill Sense.

Katie Whisler

Katie Whisler is a librarian from Northeast Ohio. She graduated from Hiram College with degrees in English and History and a minor in Classical & Medieval Studies. During her time at school, Katie designed not only a 5e Dungeons & Dragons module based on Beowulf, but also a board game inspired by early American literature. She now works in Youth Services at a local library, running D&D and Magic: the Gathering programs for middle and high school students. With 15 years of tabletop gaming experience, she is passionate about integrating TTRPGs into education and knows it is always important to have a d20 on hand.

Anna Feliciano Psy.D.

Anna Feliciano is the Coordinator of Group Therapy Services at the University of South Carolina, where she incorporates D&D in her practice through a program called Strixhaven on the Spectrum. She has developed homebrew modules for socio-emotional learning and is a certified Therapeutic Gamemaster. She earned her Psy.D. in clinical psychology from Wright State University in 2010. Her dissertation focused on using children's literature to help families communicate about minority cultures.

Get In Touch

Have questions or want to collaborate? Reach out to our team for more information on our projects, educational services, or to discuss how we can bring innovative tabletop gaming solutions to your community.

Free Sample eBook!