PBL Simplified for Administrators by Magnify Learning

By Magnify LearningEducation Self-Improvement Courses

PBL Simplified for Administrators by Magnify Learning episodes

August 05, 2025Top Three Mistakes School Leaders Make in PBL | E234
In this episode, Ryan Steuer discusses the importance of Project-Based Learning (PBL) and outlines three common mistakes that leaders make when implementing PBL in schools. He emphasizes the need to start with the 'why' of PBL, the significance of cultural change, and the importance of empowering teachers rather than controlling them. Through personal anecdotes and practical advice, Ryan provides insights on how to create a sustainable PBL environment that fosters student engagement and ownership.
Takeaways
PBL should be part of a leader's legacy.
Starting with the 'why' is crucial for buy-in.
Cultural change is a complex process that requires time.
Empowerment of teachers leads to better student outcomes.
Leaders must model the change they want to see.
Creating a collective 'why' strengthens the initiative.
Cultural change involves mindset shifts, not just protocols.
Teachers need voice and choice in their professional development.
PBL can be adapted to fit various educational contexts.
Avoid imposing rigid models; allow for customization.
Resources and links:
Register for the webinar: pblwebinar.com
20 min
July 29, 2025Emotional Intelligence in Education: A New Approach With Doug Noll | E233
In this episode of the PBL Simplified podcast, host Ryan Steuer talks with Doug Noll, a former trial lawyer turned peacemaker, to discuss effective strategies for de-escalating conflicts with angry parents, students, and teachers. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding emotions in conflict resolution, introducing the concept of affect labeling as a powerful tool for calming individuals and fostering connection. Doug shares insights on how to apply these techniques in educational settings, highlighting the need for emotional intelligence among educators and students alike. The episode concludes with practical advice for administrators on how to implement these strategies in their schools.
Takeaways
Fights and arguments between human beings are unnecessary.

Human beings are driven by emotions, not rationality.

Affect labeling is a technique to de-escalate anger.

Listening to emotions rather than words is crucial.

De-escalation must occur before problem-solving.

Students often act out due to a lack of connection.

Emotional abuse in families affects student behavior.

Affect labeling can create emotional safety in classrooms.

Teachers can learn to help students self-regulate emotions.

Cultural programming often devalues emotional expression.
Resources and links:
Share a PBL win or ask a question: pblshare.com
Connect with Doug:
https://dougnoll.com/school-de-escalation-training/
https://dougnoll.com/de-escalation-skills-resources/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougnoll/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doug.noll.52/
https://www.facebook.com/DouglasNoll
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dougnoll
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/douglasenoll/
DN YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtAHXdBT1Y0Pl7SGrM_HcFw
EC YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLMgSgzfVqHdriHEN3MiIKA
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/b990204361f85f4a8ac1a25a9a0920
39 min
July 22, 2025Turn Grant Funding into PBL Success | E232
In this episode of the PBL Simplified Podcast, Ryan Steuer discusses how district leaders can effectively use grant funds to establish a sustainable project-based learning (PBL) culture that extends beyond the life of the grant. He emphasizes the importance of investing in people rather than programs, the necessity of professional development and coaching, and the significance of marketing and tracking success through data and stories. The conversation provides actionable insights for educational leaders looking to create lasting change in their schools.
Takeaways
Invest in your people to sustain PBL culture.
Shift focus from programs to building belief.
Coaching is essential for successful implementation.
Professional development should include all leadership levels.
Marketing your PBL initiatives is crucial for buy-in.
Align grant objectives with educational outcomes.
Track both quantitative and qualitative data.
Create a grassroots movement for PBL.
Use grant funds to build internal systems.
Make the grant a movement, not just a moment.
Resources and links:
pblwebinar.com
22 min
July 15, 2025Becoming Epic: A Leadership Journey with Dr. Matt Kutz | E231
In this episode of the PBL Simplified Podcast, host Ryan Steuer talks with leadership expert Matt Kutz to discuss the essence of leadership, the importance of inspiration, and the framework outlined in Kutz's upcoming book, Becoming Epic. They explore the concepts of excellence, perception, and the need for leaders to recharge and find inspiration outside of work. The conversation emphasizes the significance of self-awareness and the impact of leadership on others, while also introducing the idea of "3D thinking freefall" as a method to unlock creativity. The episode concludes with practical advice on managing and developing one's future self.
Takeaways
Leadership is the lid of the work that happens in schools.

Inspiration is the driving force behind effective leadership.

The Epic Framework includes excellence, perception, inspiration, and compassion.

Perfectionism hinders excellence and should be avoided.

Self-awareness is crucial for effective leadership.

Compassion for oneself leads to compassion for others.

Inspiration often strikes outside of work environments.

3D thinking freefall enhances creativity and problem-solving.

Leaders should model the behavior they want to see in others.
Resources and links:
https://drmattkutz.com/
36 min
July 08, 2025Building Sustainable PBL in Your School | E230
In this episode of the PBL Simplified podcast, Ryan Steuer discusses the importance of making project-based learning (PBL) sustainable within school cultures. He outlines a three-year model for implementing PBL that emphasizes leadership, teacher training, and community involvement. Through real-life examples, he illustrates how PBL can transform student engagement and learning outcomes, ultimately creating a culture of innovation and empowerment in schools.
Takeaways
Project-based learning (PBL) is essential for transforming school culture.
Sustainability in PBL requires a long-term commitment, not just one-off workshops.
Leadership and teacher training must occur in parallel for effective PBL implementation.
Coaching is critical for successful PBL implementation and teacher support.
Real-world projects engage students and enhance learning outcomes.
PBL should be integrated into the school's culture, not treated as an isolated initiative.
Community involvement is key to successful PBL projects.
A three-year model allows for deepening practice and leadership in PBL.
PBL can empower students and help them find their purpose in learning.
The journey to a sustainable PBL culture starts with a clear vision and commitment.
Resources and links:
pblwebinar.com
24 min
July 01, 2025The Power of Meditation for Busy School Leaders With Jeff Patterson | E229
Jeff Patterson has been practicing martial arts for 36 years. He has trained with masters from seven countries and has achieved a black belt equivalency in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Eskrima, Muay Thai, Kenpō, Tai Chi, and Qigong. Patterson believes in the power of meditative arts to enhance life experiences.
Why Meditation for Educational Leaders?
Educational leaders are in high-stress, high-visibility positions.
Meditation can help reduce stress and prevent burnout, enabling leaders to have longevity in their careers.
Meditation is practiced by high-performing athletes in other fields, such as boxing and basketball, to improve performance.
Jeff Patterson's "Five Regulations" of Meditation:
Regulating the body: Paying attention to skeletal alignment, muscle tension, and movement. This includes maintaining muscle structure and flexibility, consuming healthy nutrients, and getting adequate sleep.
Regulating the breath: There are hundreds of breathing strategies, which can be categorized as yin (deeper, inward energy) or yang (aggressive, outward energy). Yin breathing involves longer inhales and shorter exhales. Yang breathing may involve tension in the breath and audible exhales.
Regulating the mind: Meditation does not require a quiet mind, as distractions are normal. Meditation involves recognizing distractions and using posture, breath, and movement to regain focus.
Regulating the energy: Once the body, breath, and mind are regulated, one can learn to direct energy inward, outward, or circulate it to achieve different outcomes in meditation.
Regulating the spirit: This is a profound concept toward which meditation masters work their entire lives.
Benefits of Meditation:
Increased focus and productivity
Enhanced emotional regulation
Improved communication skills and the ability to "yield"
Physical yielding: Getting out of the way of a force to respond with less effort. Requires being well rooted, having a strong and flexible lower body, a relaxed body, calm breath, and a present mind.
Mental yielding: Recognizing imbalances in a conversation and adjusting the conversation to lead it to a harmonious place.
Emotional yielding: Stepping back from interpersonal conflicts to make a more educated decision.
Integrating Meditation into a Busy Schedule:
Ritual Practice: A dedicated time, such as 20 minutes per day, to meditate without distractions.
Active Practices: Integrating practices throughout the day, even for as little as 60 seconds.
Philosophical Practices: Integrating the philosophy of meditation into active and ritual practices.
Jeff Patterson's Three Considerations for Starting a Meditation Practice:
Motivation: Identify your motivation for wanting to meditate. Consider how your life will change if you accomplish your meditation goals.
Consistency: Practice consistently to reap the benefits of meditation. Consistency develops discipline, integrity, and patience.
Guidance: Find a guide to save time and improve your practice.
Resources:
Website: theyieldingwarrior.com
Free Book: theyieldingwarrior.com/book
Social Media: Search "The Yielding Warrior" on social media channels
Call to Action: Consider how meditation could benefit you and commit to practicing it regularly.
37 min
June 24, 2025Empowering Education Through Community Partnerships | E228
In this episode of the PBL Simplified podcast, host Ryan Steuer discusses the critical role of community partners in Project Based Learning (PBL) for school administrators. He outlines strategies for identifying, engaging, and building relationships with community partners to enhance student learning and real-world applicability. The conversation emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive ecosystem for community partnerships and offers practical tips for organizing engagement events.
Takeaways
Community partners enhance real-world applicability in education.

Inquiry increases when community partners are involved.

Identify partners who care about educational standards.

Start local when seeking community partners.

Warm connections are more effective than cold outreach.

Community partners should be treated warmly and welcomed.

Engagement events can foster community partnerships.

Students can help guide community partners in schools.

Regular breakfasts can build strong community relationships.

Creating an ecosystem for partnerships is essential for PBL success.
15 min
June 10, 2025Data Visualization for PBL Administrators With Jon Schwabish | E227
Episode Summary: This episode features Jon Schwabish, an economist and data visualization expert, who discusses how school administrators can use data visualization to better understand and communicate data to improve their schools.
Key Takeaways:
Data visualization can help school administrators quickly understand their data and make better decisions. Visualizing data can reveal trends and patterns that might not be apparent from looking at raw data in spreadsheets.
School administrators should use a variety of graph types to communicate data effectively. Different graphs are better suited for different types of data and audiences.
Qualitative data, such as student stories and experiences, is just as important as quantitative data. Qualitative data can provide context and insights that numbers alone cannot.
School administrators should have a clear goal in mind when visualizing data. What do they want their audience to learn or do with the information?
Actionable Steps:
Start by identifying your audience and what they need from the data.
Consider the platform where the data will be presented.
Use clear and concise language to explain the data.
Walk people through the data step by step, especially if they are not familiar with the graph type.
Use visual elements, such as color, size, and position, to highlight important information.
Resources:
Jon Schwabish's website: policyviz.com
Jon Schwabish on social media: @JSchwabish
Qualitative data analysis tools: Envivo, Dedoose, Atlas.ti
Call to Action:
Take the time to create effective data visualizations.
Use data to identify problems and solutions in your school.
Communicate data clearly and effectively to all stakeholders.
36 min
May 27, 2025How Do We Help You Love Your Job Every Day? | E226
In this episode of the PBL Simplified Podcast, host Ryan Steuer discusses the transformative power of Project Based Learning (PBL) in schools. He shares insights on how educators can empower themselves and their teams to create thriving educational environments. Through the success story of principal Cynthia Bruno, listeners learn about the impact of PBL on student engagement and achievement. Ryan emphasizes the importance of connecting with one's purpose, empowering teachers, and creating a positive school culture. He provides practical tips for job satisfaction and highlights the significance of daily practices and delegation in leadership.
Takeaways
Transforming schools through project-based learning is possible.

Leadership teams can create effective three-year plans for PBL.

Cynthia Bruno's school improved from a D to an A in two years.

Connecting with your purpose is essential for effective leadership.

Empowering teachers fosters a positive PBL environment.

Celebrating small wins increases job satisfaction.

Creating moments of joy enhances the school culture.

Daily practices can lead to greater fulfillment in your role.

Delegation allows leaders to focus on strategic initiatives.

Finding joy in learning is crucial for educators.
21 min
May 13, 2025Emotional Intelligence and Project Based Learning With Matt Taylor | E225
This episode of the PBL Simplified Podcast features guest Matt Taylor, who leads the Noble Story Group, a consulting firm that focuses on emotional intelligence-based leadership development in education and nonprofits.
Matt’s “Why”
He had an epiphany while observing both urban district schools and charter schools that they either had teachers with great technical and instructional skills, but unhappy students and teachers or they were happy places where students weren’t being challenged. He believes the “sweet spot” is a place where adults and kids feel connected and challenged. His executive coaching training grounded in emotional intelligence changed his life and gave him a framework to address his observations. He seeks to create the conditions for learning and thriving for individuals, teams, and learning communities.
The Value of Executive Coaching
Executive coaching helps build competencies, not skills.
It focuses on the “below the surface” aspects, like beliefs and mindsets, that affect competency.
Coaching helps identify roadblocks that training alone can’t address, like being conflict-averse.
Coaching helps leaders shift deep-seated habits based on core values.
It empowers individuals to find their own solutions.
It creates a ripple effect, enabling leaders to coach their teams.
Success Story: The Second-Year Principal
A high-achieving assistant principal, promoted to principal, struggled with delegation.
Coaching revealed her underlying beliefs: She felt the need to prove herself, to be liked, to not overburden others, and that this was what leadership entailed.
This led to her disempowering her team and hindering their growth.
By connecting her actions to her core value of developing people, she found the motivation to change.
She learned to self-coach, interrupting her old patterns and reminding herself of her true goal.
The Five Square Method
This coaching process is based on the four dimensions of emotional intelligence: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management.
It emphasizes that 75% of leadership happens internally.
Leaders must understand their own values, mindsets, and potential obstacles before engaging others.
Social awareness, particularly empathy, is key to understanding others’ perspectives and choosing effective engagement strategies.
A fifth square, “core values,” was added to highlight their importance in guiding leadership decisions.
The Importance of Listening
Executive coaching involves the coach listening 70% of the time.
This allows the person being coached to process information and find their own insights.
Expertise for School Leaders
The most important expertise for school leaders is being the “learning leader.”
This means embodying a growth mindset, fostering relational trust and belonging, and balancing challenge and care for adults as well as students.
Launching a Vision
Connect the vision to your core values.
Make it a shared vision by listening to and incorporating your team’s aspirations.
View implementing the vision as adaptive change, involving the people affected in the solution.
Focus on the common ground of shared values and goals.
Opportunities in the Future of Education
Shift from short-term fixes to long-term strategies that address teacher and leader retention.
Prioritize creating a supportive and challenging learning community for adults.
Recognize the contagious nature of emotions: Adults’ engagement in learning will inspire students.
Parting Advice
This work is a marathon, not a sprint: Take care of yourselves and each other.
Build a strong team that provides both support and challenge.
Maintain hope and belief in your collective ability to overcome challenges.
Call to Action
Don’t go it alone. Seek support through coaching or masterminds.
Resources
Website: NobleStoryGroup.com
LinkedIn: Matt Taylor, Noble Story Group
Free Resource: EI Mindset Self Assessment
Book: The Noble School Leader
39 min

About PBL Simplified for Administrators by Magnify Learning

From the publisher's feed

WHAT: PBL Podcast for School Administrators

Share PBL Simplified for Administrators by Magnify Learning

Sign up to save your podcasts

PBL Simplified for Administrators by Magnify Learning

PBL Simplified for Administrators by Magnify Learning episodes

About PBL Simplified for Administrators by Magnify Learning