PBL Simplified for Administrators by Magnify Learning

By Magnify LearningEducation Self-Improvement Courses

PBL Simplified for Administrators by Magnify Learning episodes

April 29, 2025How to Help Your Teachers Love Teaching Again | E224
This episode focuses on practical ways administrators can address teacher burnout and reignite their passion for teaching. Burnout is characterized by a disconnect from the joy of teaching, often stemming from a lack of autonomy and meaningful teaching opportunities. Project Based learning (PBL) is presented as a way to combat teacher burnout by fostering a student-centered approach that can revitalize teachers' love of teaching. This episode emphasizes that while quick fixes like hot chocolate and meditation can help, it's important to address the root causes of burnout.
Three Key Ways to Reignite Teachers' Love of Teaching:
Autonomy and Creativity: Teachers need the freedom to design meaningful and engaging projects that are tailored to their students' needs.
Following a rigid scope and sequence can stifle creativity and excitement.
PBL provides opportunities for both teachers and learners to have autonomy.
Building Relationships: Focus on both student-teacher and teacher-teacher connections.
Teachers want to connect with their students on a personal level beyond just the curriculum.
Creating opportunities for teachers to collaborate and connect with their peers is crucial.
Relevance and Purpose: Teachers need to feel that their work is meaningful and connected to real-world problems.
PBL can provide this sense of relevance and purpose.
When students are engaged, teachers are also more likely to be engaged and feel fulfilled.
Practical Steps Administrators Can Take Immediately:
Start with small wins.
Redesign faculty meetings to be more collaborative and to celebrate successes.
Use faculty meetings to build relationships between teachers.
We offer a free resource for how to redo your faculty meeting on our website, magnifypbl.com.
Empower student voice.
Encourage teachers to give students voice and choice in their learning.
Consider starting a student voice group to gather feedback.
Identify what "fills the bucket" for teachers: Find out what activities or actions bring joy to individual teachers and implement them.
It may vary by grade level or content area.
Something as simple as a positive note can mean a lot to teachers.
Encourage teachers to try new student-centered strategies: Provide opportunities for teachers to share what they have tried.
Create a culture of collaboration and shared learning.
Build a positive culture in the school to reduce teacher turnover.
When teachers are excited to be there, it creates a positive current.
Call to Action:
Challenge teachers to reflect on one small change they can make to bring joy back into their teaching.
Recognize that joy is an important part of the educational process, along with standardized tests and learning outcomes.
Additional Resources Mentioned:
Binge PBL for Administrators Podcast
Magnify Learning Website (magnifypbl.com) for a free resource on how to redo your faculty meeting
pblpress.com for books to help with project-based learning
Design Days where you can visit a PBL model site and create a three-year implementation plan
Episode 158: No More Teacher Turnover
Next Episode:
Features a leadership guest, Matthew Taylor, a coach for principals and administrators in Washington DC.
19 min
April 15, 2025Transforming Self-Talk for Effective Leadership With Marianne Renner | E223
In this episode, Ryan Steuer interviews leadership coach Marianne Renner about her new book, Self Talk: 10 Stories You Tell Yourself That Hold You Back. They discuss the importance of self-talk in leadership, the impact of personal narratives on emotional well-being, and practical strategies for transforming negative self-talk into empowering narratives. Marianne shares her personal journey of overcoming depression and addiction, emphasizing the power of mindset and emotional awareness in achieving personal and professional growth. The conversation highlights the significance of vulnerability in leadership and the ongoing nature of self-improvement.
Takeaways
Self-talk is a universal experience for everyone.

Changing self-talk can lead to significant personal transformation.

Leaders should embrace vulnerability to connect with others.

The SEER process helps in reframing negative narratives.

Emotional awareness is crucial for effective leadership.

Practicing self-talk is similar to developing a workout routine.

Vulnerability can enhance leadership effectiveness.

Every situation presents a choice in how we respond.

Self-talk can either empower or hinder our actions.

Continuous self-improvement is a lifelong journey.
Resources and links:
mariannerenner.com
Get Marianne's book
35 min
April 01, 2025The Power of Professional Learning Communities in PBL With Dr. Chad Dumas | E222
In this episode of the PBL Simplified for Administrators podcast, host Ryan Steuer welcomes back Dr. Chad Dumas to discuss the importance of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) in enhancing Project Based Learning (PBL) environments. They explore the mindset and culture necessary for effective PLCs, the role of teacher team leaders, and strategies for creating a collaborative and safe environment for educators. Dr. Dumas emphasizes the significance of adult learning and the need for a supportive culture to drive student success. The conversation also highlights success stories and practical advice for educators and leaders looking to implement or improve PLCs in their schools.
Takeaways
PLCs should be viewed as a culture, not just meetings.

Creating a psychologically safe environment is crucial for effective PLCs.

Teacher team leaders play a vital role in building capacity within their teams.

Mindsets and assumptions significantly impact leadership effectiveness.

Conflict can be a positive force for growth in teams.

Ongoing learning and reflection are essential for successful PLCs.

Success stories demonstrate the effectiveness of PLCs in various school settings.

Adult culture in schools directly influences student culture.

Educators need clarity on what to guarantee every student learns.

Collaboration among teachers leads to better outcomes for students.
Resources and links:
allthingsplc.info

The Teacher Team Leader Handbook Information
Get Chad's Book:
Amazon
Solution Tree
Book Resources
40 min
March 18, 2025From Curiosity to Connection: Building Positive School Cultures with Gabriele Nicolet | E221
Key takeaways from this episode:
Relationships are paramount in education: The strength of the relationship between teachers and students significantly impacts learning outcomes.
Seeing each child: Educators should strive to understand and acknowledge each student's individual needs and experiences.
The Importance of Nervous Systems: Educators should be aware of their own nervous system and how it impacts their students. They should also be mindful of their students' nervous systems and how they are responding.
Attachment and Attunement: Attachment refers to the strength of the relationship between two people, often an adult and a child. Attunement refers to adults adjusting their nervous system to match that of the child.
Child-Led Learning: Empowering students to take ownership of their learning is crucial, especially for neurodivergent learners.
Practical Strategies for Leaders: Principals can support teachers by acknowledging their challenges, offering help, and promoting a positive school culture.
Parent Perspectives: Parents of neurodivergent children want educators to understand their child's unique needs and collaborate with them to create a supportive learning environment.
Embrace Curiosity and Grace: Educators should approach challenging situations with curiosity and give themselves and their students grace.
Call to Action: Be more curious in your interactions with students, teachers, and parents, especially those who present challenges.
Resources:
Website: whatispbl.com
Podcast: Complicated Kids Podcast
34 min
March 04, 2025Why is PBL Good for Kids? | E220
This episode focuses on the benefits of Project Based Learning (PBL) for K-12 students. It explores how PBL can enhance academic achievement, social-emotional learning (SEL), and future readiness.
Key Takeaways:
PBL improves academic performance. Studies show that PBL can lead to significant gains in standardized test scores, AP exam scores, and literacy and numeracy skills.
PBL supports social-emotional learning. PBL provides opportunities for students to develop self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.
PBL prepares students for the future. PBL helps students develop 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and inquiry, as well as career preparation skills.
Examples and Resources:
Dixie Elementary: This school improved its state test score from a D to an A using PBL.
Southport Elementary: This school, which already had an A, implemented PBL to improve employability skills for its high socioeconomic and ELL students. They then had the highest growth on their state standardized test in the entire state.
Southside Elementary: This Title 1 elementary school also saw success with PBL.
School Within a School: Ryan discusses a PBL program he started in a large middle school that led to increased attendance, decreased discipline issues, and improved academic outcomes for the participating students.
The Lucas Foundation: This organization conducted randomized controlled trials in 2021 that demonstrated the positive impact of PBL on student learning.
CASTLE (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning): This organization provides resources on SEL competencies.
Book Recommendation: Ryan’s book, PBL Simplified, provides a framework for implementing PBL, including the six steps of PBL and strategies for grouping students.
Book Recommendation: Life's a Project is another book that delves deeper into PBL implementation.
Call to Action:
Communicate the Why: School administrators should articulate the benefits of PBL to teachers, parents, and students.
Encourage Risk-Taking: Administrators should support teachers in trying new approaches and provide resources and support for their efforts.
Celebrate Successes: Recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of teachers and students involved in PBL.
Next Episode:
Topic: Neuroscience behind great learning, focusing on attunement and the importance of authentic PBL.
PBL Research: https://www.lucasedresearch.org/research/research-briefs/
19 min
February 18, 2025Leveraging Social Media to Transform Schools With David Griffith | E219
This episode of the PBL Simplified podcast features David Griffith, a content creator coach and former middle school teacher with over 1.2 million followers on TikTok. In this episode, Griffith discusses the importance of social media for school leaders and offers practical advice on how to use social media effectively to engage with the community.
Key takeaways from the episode:
School leaders need to be on social media because that's where the attention is. People are spending more and more time on social media, and schools need to be present on these platforms to reach their target audience.
There is a right and a wrong way to use social media. Simply posting a few pictures and tagging the school is not enough. School leaders need to be intentional about the content they create and how they share it.
Getting a coach can help school leaders accelerate their social media success. A coach can provide guidance on how to create engaging content, use the right hashtags, and target the right audience.
School leaders can learn from other school leaders who are doing social media well. Instead of being intimidated by successful social media accounts, school leaders can study what these accounts are doing and try to replicate their strategies.
Consistency is key for social media success. Posting regularly, even if it's just once a day, is essential for building a following and keeping people engaged.
School leaders can use their smartphones to create and post content. There are a number of apps and tools available that can help school leaders create professional-looking videos and captions.
Social media is a powerful tool for storytelling. School leaders can use social media to share the stories of their students, staff, and community. This can help to build relationships and create a positive image for the school.
David Griffith's social media handles:
TikTok: @davidgriffith07
YouTube: David Griffith's Music
Instagram: @davidthedigitalcreator
David Griffith's website and email:
contentcreatingacademy.com
[email protected]
35 min
February 04, 2025What is PBL? | E218
Episode Summary: This episode explores the definition of Project Based Learning (PBL) from the perspective of three key audiences: students, teachers, and administrators. Host Ryan Steuer emphasizes the importance of tailoring the explanation of PBL to resonate with each group, highlighting the unique benefits they experience through its implementation.
Key Takeaways:
For Students: PBL fosters deep content knowledge by providing context and real-world applications for core subjects. It cultivates 21st-century skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork, which are highly sought after by employers. PBL empowers students, shifting them from passive recipients of information to active, engaged learners.
For Teachers: PBL allows teachers to teach in a way that aligns with their passion and desired instructional approach. It provides a structured framework that incorporates components like PBIS, relationship building, and rigorous content, streamlining their efforts. PBL fosters stronger teacher-student relationships by creating opportunities for interaction and collaboration within the learning process.
For Administrators: PBL serves as a unifying framework that can encompass various school improvement goals, such as equity, engagement, and academic achievement. It provides a vehicle for bringing community partners into the classroom, showcasing student work, and enhancing community perception of the school. PBL leads to improved standardized test scores by challenging all learners and promoting growth. It offers a solution to the challenges of personalization and differentiation, empowering teachers and reducing their overwhelm.
Implementation Tips: Visit schools successfully implementing PBL to observe firsthand and gather insights. Build momentum by involving leadership teams, teachers, and parents to create a grassroots movement. Be patient and persistent in driving the change process.
Call to Action:
Rate and review the show to help other inspired leaders discover the benefits of PBL.
Explore the "Binge PBL for Administrators" series for a comprehensive overview of PBL implementation.
Tune in next week for a discussion on leveraging social media to showcase the positive impact of PBL with guest David Griffith.
17 min
January 21, 2025Turn Your School Around With Project Based Learning - Ashley Green | E217
Ashley Green is a versatile educator with 19 years of experience as a language arts teacher, curriculum coordinator, and principal. She is the owner of Green Tree Educational Solutions, a consulting agency in Mississippi dedicated to helping individuals and organizations achieve their full potential. She also serves as an adjunct professor, training and preparing future educators. Green's "why" is to help people, including teachers, students, and leaders, reach their full potential.
Keys to a Successful School Turnaround
Green outlines three keys to successfully turning around a school:
Communication: Clearly communicate how initiatives, like PBL, will function, including components, location, participants, etc.
Modeling and Monitoring: Leaders should model the desired behaviors and monitor progress to ensure implementation.
Correcting and Celebrating: Provide feedback and support by correcting mistakes and celebrating successes.
CMC Squared Coaching Model
Green's CMC Squared model (Communication, Model, Monitor, Celebrate or Correct) provides a framework for successful implementation of initiatives.
Success Story: Increasing Student Engagement
Green shares a success story about working with a fifth-grade ELA teacher to increase student engagement. The strategies included:
Small group work: Implementing small group activities three times a week to provide more opportunities for student engagement.
Background knowledge: Frontloading instruction with background knowledge to create an equitable playing field for all students.
SAC Procedure: Utilizing the SAC (Scan, Annotate, Comprehend, and Show what you know) procedure to activate active reading skills and encourage student exploration of texts.
Obstacles to School Turnaround
Green identifies two major obstacles to turning around schools:
Buy-in: Getting leaders to trust the process and buy into the proposed changes.
Vision: Many leaders lack a clear vision for their school, which hinders progress.
Overcoming Obstacles
Green suggests strategies for overcoming buy-in and vision obstacles:
Surveys and Interviews: Conduct surveys and individual interviews with stakeholders to gather information and understand needs.
Retreats and Team Building: Host retreats and team-building activities to foster collaboration and build relationships.
Shared Beliefs: Facilitate sessions for teachers to establish shared beliefs and values, creating a sense of ownership and accountability.
Advice for Educators on Their PBL Journey
Trust your inner child: Remember the importance of fun and engaging learning experiences for students.
Prioritize students: Ensure students are at the forefront of all initiatives.
Activate the three C's: Challenge students, make them curious, and show them that you care.
Connect with Ashley Green
Facebook: Green Tree Educational Solutions
LinkedIn: Ashley Green
Website: www.Greentreesolutions.org
27 min
January 07, 2025How to Gain Momentum for Project-Based Learning in 2025 | E216
Podcast Summary: This episode provides three practical strategies for school administrators to gain momentum for project-based learning (PBL) in their schools. The three strategies are:
Get started today. This means taking steps like visiting schools with successful PBL programs, engaging in book studies about PBL, or listening to podcasts on PBL for administrators. When visiting other schools, administrators should bring along key stakeholders like assistant principals, teachers, community partners, parents, and school board members.
Create a grassroots movement. Instead of a top-down mandate, a grassroots movement encourages teachers to embrace PBL and advocate for it. A PBL Learning Team or Leadership Team can be created to visit PBL schools, receive training, and implement PBL in their own classrooms. By showcasing successful PBL implementation within their own school, these teams can inspire other teachers to adopt PBL. Design Days can be utilized to visit model schools, build three-year plans, and receive coaching for successful implementation.
Provide robust training. Teachers need at least three days of intensive training with follow-up coaching to effectively implement PBL. Training should emphasize authentic PBL, where students solve real-world problems and develop essential employability skills. Authentic PBL engages students and teachers more deeply and leads to more meaningful learning experiences.
Key Takeaways:
Don't delay in taking action to bring PBL to your school.
Foster a grassroots movement among your staff to create buy-in and enthusiasm for PBL.
Invest in robust and authentic PBL training for your teachers to ensure successful implementation.
Call to Action:
Start taking steps to implement PBL in your school today, even if it's just small steps.
Consider attending a PBL training or workshop.
Visit schools that have successful PBL programs.
Resources Mentioned:
Website: whatispbl.com
Podcasts: Binge PBL for teachers, Binge PBL for administrators, PBL Simplified for Teachers
Downloads: PBL versus a project
YouTube: PBL vs Project
Next Episode:
Guest episode featuring Ashley Green, who will discuss using PBL as a turnaround vehicle for schools and classrooms.
18 min
January 01, 2025 The One Page Playbook to Transform Your Faculty Meetings | E215
Transform your faculty meetings into the highlight of the semester! Imagine your teachers leaving every session not only informed but inspired and ready to implement Project Based Learning in their classrooms. This episode will equip you with the tools to revolutionize your meetings by shifting away from mundane announcements and passive professional development. Say goodbye to the old "sit and get" approach and usher in vibrant, interactive gatherings that truly reflect the teaching excellence you want in your classrooms. You'll learn how to energize your team—even during the February slump—with practical insights and a simple playbook to ensure your meetings are as effective as they are engaging. Join us as we discuss the power of giving voice and choice to educators, creating a collaborative and positive meeting culture that mirrors what we aim to cultivate in our classrooms. Explore our strategies for gathering valuable teacher input and fostering genuine collaboration through structured protocols like Chalk Talk and connections activities. We'll also introduce engaging protocols like the "Zones of Comfort, Risk, and Danger" to motivate your staff and inspire them to adopt similar practices with their students. Plus, don't miss our exciting new podcast offerings: PBL Movement for Leaders, PBL Movement for Teachers, and the binge-style series Binge PBL for Leaders and Teachers, packed with the knowledge you need for successful Project Based Learning.
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ORDER THE BOOK PBL SIMPLIFIED (affiliate link)
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SCHEDULE A PBL TRAINING WITH MAGNIFY LEARNING https://resources.magnifylearningin.org/onsite-workshops
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16 min

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