When I was in my second year of teacher, I wanted so badly to implement PBL. This, despite the fact that I didn't know the term "project-based learning." I simply knew that I wanted students to engage in meaningful projects where they learn the content…
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I'm struggling with work right now. It's not a toxic culture. I work with an amazing team of educators. It's not the work itself, either. I'm not falling into the "busy" trap of doing tedious work that doesn't fit my identity or my purpose. I…
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In my first year of teaching, my mentor said something I'll never forget. I taught a lesson that tanked. It was awful. I literally did everything wrong. It was the cringiest of cringe and I shared every detail with him over a coffee. I expected…
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It's 4:25 p.m. and I've been working nonstop since 7:00 a.m. this morning. Actually, that's not entirely true. On three separate occasions, I close my laptop, lace up my running shoes, and head for a walk in the brisk fall air. I absorb the sun's…
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I want to make something clear before we dive into this topic. I made huge mistakes in classroom management as a teacher. I let certain disruptive behaviors go unchecked because I was tired and I didn't want to put out another fire. I had moments…
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Early on in my project-based learning journey, I made a vow to go 100% project-based. My students would learn everything through exploration and discovery. I would remain the guide on the side observing the process and helping out only when necessary. After leading students through…
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It’s easy to remember the highlight reels of the project-based approach I used when I taught eighth grade. I think about the moment we finished our second mural and my students were so excited they started spontaneously cheering or the moment students asked thoughtful questions…
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Years ago, my friend Chad (who tragically passed away from cancer last year) started the 21st Century Classroom initiative in our district. Teachers would be part of six-person teams where they would attend professional development, receive state-of-the-art technology, and have a learning coach who would…
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Social-emotional learning has become a bit trendy lately. However, it's more than merely a trend. SEL is a critical part of student soft skill development. In my latest article, I explore the relationship between project-based learning (PBL) and social-emotional learning (SEL). It's an idea that…
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Project-based learning can feel overwhelming. It can seem like an entire transformation in your teaching practice. However, it doesn't have to require a massive overhaul. Often, it's more like an evolution. In my latest podcast episode, I interview Dr. Melissa Deutsch about her PBL journey.…
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