What is your “WHY” for teaching? My “why” is simple: our students deserve the best learning opportunities we can offer. I believe in the endless capacity for improvement, and I enjoy meeting that challenge personally as I coach kids in chasing their own potential.
What is your area of expertise? My PBL experiences range primarily from grades 4-12. I am certified to teach grades 1-6 (multi-content) and 9-12 ELA. As a K-12 instructional coach, I am also trained in curriculum development and literacy implementation.
What is your PBL experience? As a classroom teacher, I implemented PBL in my high-school ELA classes, working within the constraints of scheduling at that level to take advantage of authentic problem-based learning as much as possible. As a K-12 instructional coach, I work closely with teams, primarily at the intermediate and junior high levels, to help incorporate PBL structures into the curriculum. When I’m lucky, I get the occasional featuring role in a kick-off event video.
What is your favorite aspect of PBL? I love talking to kids about their PBL work, because they become junior experts in their project fields as they work their way through the problem-solving process. I am continually in awe of what students are capable of when they are given the flexibility to choose how to apply their learning.
Why do you enjoy facilitating? There is power in collaboration, especially in a room full of educators. I’ll admit to an ulterior motive here, as I’ve never facilitated a professional development experience from which I didn’t take some new idea or insight for myself.