Ryan Steuer
Leadership Episode-Motivation | E62

Leadership Episode - Mission Drift - Positive Staff Culture | E66

This leadership episode is about avoiding mission drift and staying with our vision. In our last leadership episode, we talked about deep work. These two topics are connected like peanut butter and jelly. Be sure and carve out 30 minutes of deep work each day. We also have a "need to know" about creating a positive staff culture. If you're just going through your day and marking things off your list, you are drifting from your mission. 

To move your vision forward you need to separate the big ideas intentionally. This topic is so important that we're going to be looking at mission drift over the next five episodes. We are going to talk about how to prevent mission drift and how to move towards the vision that brought you into leadership. You wouldn't step forward into leadership if you didn't have some idea or a vision of how you wanted things to look.

Episode Highlights: 

[01:49] How do you create a positive staff culture? 1. Do all of the things that you expect your teachers to do with their learners.

[02:04] Give voice and choice, build relationships, show culture videos, and do work that's really important.

[02:36] Create a positive staff culture. Share your why.

[04:43] A culture will form whether you build it intentionally or not.

[06:26] If your list isn't prioritized, you are drifting from your mission. You have to separate the big Ideas to move your vision forward intentionally.

[07:57] You're not going to get to your vision if it's not clearly defined. The big rocks will keep us from mission drift.

[08:32] It's about freeing up your time to do the deep work.

[09:35] You need to delegate, so you're working in your zone of genius. Make time to do your deep work. Look at things like mission and vision.

[12:54] Define your great vision for what learning should look like. What's ideal instruction and communication? What is the impact of all of these things being on the same page?

[14:24] Look at your to-do list and circle the three biggest things that will move you forward.

[15:04] How does it feel to knock out a big rock?

[16:34] Create a clear vision statement around your team, culture, and instruction. Communicate your vision and create impact.

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Engineering Design Process PBL Unit, PBL Showcase | E65

Alison Kern is a 6th grade science teacher who rocks authenticity. She's been PBL certified through Magnify Learning and has been through several different trainings including PBL Jumpstart, PBL Advanced, and the entire PBL Certification process. On this PBL Showcase, we get to follow Alison’s PBL journey with her class.

She had five different groups of learners that she did this PBL process with. We learn all about what her PBL Unit was and how it’s possible to focus on big processes and use the same grading process for different content. We also learn some of the genius ideas and solutions that the learners came up with. We talk about contracts, structure, and how PBL helps disengaged learners become engaged. 

Episode Highlights: 

[03:07] EDP or engineering design process in the office. The standards they focused on were engineering process and general design, including how to go back and improve the project.

[04:16] The question was how do we as engineers create something to help the office staff have a more fluid day. The principal, secretary, nurse, etc. we're bombarded with too many little tasks. They wanted to improve their daily actions.

[05:02] Each worker came in and posed a problem to the classroom. The secretaries wanted a solution to the lost and found problem. The Learners developed a system to help with this task.

[05:54] They set up a camera and recorded what would happen with planted lost items in the hallway. They then set up a prototype and put a bin out.

[06:39] Another class partnered with the counselor and the life skills teacher to create fidget toys which turned out to be helpful for all the students.

[10:19] Alison shares the group contracts and structure for starting PBL. 

[16:56] It's important to make solutions attainable.

[17:54] PBL is a great way to give kids a connection and a reason to come to school. 

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Leadership Episode-The Key to Deep Work | E64

It’s time for another leadership episode. I’m going to share one tip for time management that will help you get the most important stuff done. The thing that will move the needle for your school and your learners that keeps getting pushed aside because it’s not urgent. This one habit will create an opportunity to use deep work to impact your productivity and progress. 

Our Need to Know is about getting our vision and action together to affect change for our learners and communities. I share a quote by Joel Barker that sums this up perfectly. Then I share how to implement a futures protocol that allows you to look three years ahead and, through a series of questions, find the gap between where you are and where you need to be. 

Episode Highlights: 

[04:02] Need to know: How do we get our vision and action together so we can change the world for our learners and our communities?

[04:39] You can use the futures protocol to answer these questions. Where do we want to be in 3 years? Where are we now? What's the gap or how can we get there in three years?

[09:40] You need to find time for deep work. This is where you work without interruption and get into a flow state.

[10:17] A 30 minute amount of deep work each day will transform your leadership, productivity, and even your home life.

[10:32] I challenge you to schedule 30 minutes a day where you shut your door, turn off your email, and focus on what matters.

[13:50] In 30 straight minutes, you'll probably get done what would take you 2 hours of interrupted time to get done. Schedule it on your calendar. People will understand.

[14:39] Choose Tuesday from 9:00 to 9:30 and set that time aside every week. If you don't know what to do at that time, use that time to figure it out.

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PBL Learner Reflections, PBL Project Blitz | E63

It's the second Wednesday of the month, so it's time for a PBL Blitz episode. This week we are going to be hearing from learners instead of the facilitators. I toured Babcock Neighborhood School in Babcock Ranch, FL. It's one of the Magnify Learning demonstration sites. Babcock Ranch teachers have been through a lot of PBL workshops. 

The majority of their staff is PBL certified. I toured the school and got to see the learners in action and ask them questions about PBL learning. You’ll get to hear the answers straight from the learners in this fun episode. You’ll love hearing these responses and how they are connected to experiences, not just bits of knowledge. 

Episode Highlights: 

[03:44] During the day, I saw a room with three classes of 1st graders. They were all collaborating on math.

[04:58] I asked learners about PBL. You are going to love the answers that I received.

[05:44] What is project-based learning and why do you enjoy it? The answers are so cute. The first learner's favorite part was learning.

[06:23] It was the second learner's preferred way of learning. The third learner loved how she gets to interact with things.

[07:07] The learner's also enjoyed working with community partners in a hands-on way. This learning style is preferred over repeated testing. 

[08:07] Students also shared their favorite PBL experience from visiting senior citizens and sharing the experience to community partners and building custom robots and driving them in swimming pools.

[09:31] The first graders share their math motivation collaborating with community partners. 

[10:56] Learner's share PBL advice for new teachers. 

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Leadership Episode-Motivation | E62

Motivation is essential as a leader and necessary for your teachers. I talk about a technique that you can use to get your teachers fired up and, in the process, get yourself fired up to inspire them. First, I talk about a couple of minor things that can make a difference in knowing your “why”. Then I talk about Simon Sinek’s golden circle. 

If you start with your why, it provides the motivation for the how and the what—sharing your why prominently can inspire your teachers and yourself to go above and beyond and pour your passion into making every child a part of an inspiring story. I share my why, what, and how while inviting you to do the same. 

Episode Highlights: 

[00:02:13] A need to know to stay motivated with little things like rewarding people with their favorite small things or incorporating a fun theme. 

[00:05:24] Simon Sinek's Golden Circle. The why is in the middle and the how and the what are on the outside of the circle. Start with the why and then get to the how and the what. 

[00:07:11] The "why" for me is that I want every child to be part of an inspired story. I do this through professional development. I want to help you support your leaders so that every child can be part of an inspired story.

[00:08:23] I do my "why" by writing books and having this podcast and creating inspiring videos. 

[00:09:05] My "what" is project based learning professional development. This is how my golden circle works.

[00:09:40] Know your "why" and talk about it. Bring your teachers into the process. 

[00:11:54] Let the teachers know you're deep and intrinsic "why" for being an educational leader.

 

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The Benefits of a Classroom Makerspace | E61

Mary Rinehart is the President and CEO of 1st Maker Space, LLC. She is passionate about creating opportunities for learners through career, technical, STEM, and robotics training. Mary Recently served the Indiana Department of Education as Engineering and Technology Specialist. She managed the STEM-certified process as well as Indiana Academic Standards revision for engineering, computer science, and IT. She has five years of teaching experience, holds an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Educational Technology, and has served on several STEM-focused boards. 

We talk about equipment that goes into a makerspace, from furniture to supplies and tools. Mary shares insights on how your school can get a makerspace, and her company even offers 3D models for proposals and grant writing. We also learn some of the benefits of having training that bridges the gap between academics and hands-on experience. Mary shares real-life stories of how offering a different learning environment can help kids who may have been struggling thrive. 


Episode Highlights: 

[03:26] Makerspaces are magical places where hands-on learning bridges the gap between theoretical and practical knowledge. It brings joy back to learning and allows students to apply academic content in the makerspace.

[06:21] Mary shares an example of a school with a small makerspace used by multiple classes. There was 3D printing, computer science, and they even worked with cardboard and paper. Everything they were doing in the classroom is applied in the makerspace. The learning was adapted to the school culture.

[08:45] Some schools will have a makerspace managed by a specific teacher for a subject or area and other schools let the makerspace be a drop-in for all of the teachers to use.

[10:20] Building a maker culture starts early on. Start small with more hands-on learning. 1st Maker Space can help with planning a space and recommending products. They can also help with grant writing. There is also funding available from multiple sources.

[20:10] Mary's son has ADHD. He is engaged in the makerspace. Another struggling student made a car out of cardboard and used a laser cutter and 3D CAD. He ended up leading others and making a great car and then helping other students. 

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Leadership Episode-Delegation | Episode 60

Delegation done right is the key to growth for you and your direct reports. This leadership episode dives into the how and why of delegation. I’m going to talk about the mindset of delegation and the importance of everyone using their time well. It’s about equipping your team and creating a culture of collaboration. As a leader, you can get wrapped up in all the little things, but there are things you need to let go of to grow. 

You need to build a structure for delegation that frees up your time and have a framework based on delegation that lets you grow as a leader and your direct reports grow too. Clear communication is the basis for successful delegation. I talk about finding the best use of your time, equipping your team to learn, and the collaboration process. I also talk about the five levels of delegation by Michael Hyatt. 

Episode Highlights: 

[03:56] To get started with project-based learning listen to this podcast, get the free download from WhatisPBL.com, check out my book, do a school visit, and talk to your network. 

[08:41] Figure out what the best use of your time is. Discover where you bring the most value and delegate the other things.

[10:38] To delegate you need to equip your team. Don't steal their learning by not letting them do the things.

[11:17] Delegation is a way to invite your team to collaborate on the process. You need to be in a position to use your gifts and talents in the best place; so should everyone else.

[12:19] The five levels of delegation from Michael Hyatt include do as I say, research and report, research and recommend, decide and inform, and act independently.

[16:56] When you have levels and your direct reports can see where to work through those levels everything is okay. You need to know your why, have clear communication, and make sure everyone is working through the correct thing and knows where they are at.

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Friday's Endgame PBL Unit, PBL Project Blitz | E59

Lacee Wald is a fifth-grade facilitator from Neosho, Missouri. She's been through the rigorous PBL certification process and is now equipped to train and teach other teachers about project-based learning. In this PBL Blitz, Lacee will be sharing her favorite PBL unit called Friday’s Endgame. In this PBL, fifth-graders at Lacee’s school had half days on Fridays. Learners had concern and consternation when administrators decided to switch to full days. 

This project consisted of presenting a debate to administrators and board members about the pros and cons of the switch. This was near and dear to the learner’s hearts, so no entry event was necessary. Lacee breaks down the entire project, including processes and how multiple standards were met. She also shares a special story about the impact of this project on one shy student, along with what she would have done differently. 

Episode Highlights: 

[02:27] Friday's Endgame is titled after the movie Endgame. This PBL had a considerable buy-in as it helped learners transition from half-day Fridays to full-day Fridays. 

[05:04] They had a debate where the learners presented both sides of the argument. This debate began with getting input using Google forms for students, parents, and staff.

[06:57]  The survey and debate probably wouldn't change any minds, but at least the students felt like their voice was being heard.

[07:13] All three superintendents were part of the project. One superintendent even sent the kids a video showing why the decision was made.

[07:50] Lacee shares skills and standards covered, including analyzing and explaining an author's viewpoint, comparing and contrasting views of people affected, listening, researching, writing their own opinion, debating both sides of an argument, and interpreting graphs. 

[12:56] The students put together a professional debate, and they presented both sides of the argument using all of the data they had gathered. 

[13:51] Lacee shares an example of how this PBL helped a shy student find his voice and write an excellent speech. This confidence booster led to this student being on the debate team in junior high.

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New Podcast Host: Founder of Magnify Learning | Project Based Learning | E58

Ryan Steuer is the founder of Magnify Learning, author of Project Based Learning Stories and Structures, host of PBL Simplified YouTube series, and now host of The PBL Playbook Podcast. Continue to follow the podcast for the content you are accustomed to: A PBL Blitz episode breaking down a PBL unit and a full PBL Interview on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month. Ryan will also add leadership episodes on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month.

Whether you are a teacher or a principal, there is something for you in The PBL Playbook Podcast. To get started on your PBL journey today, go to whatispbl.com to get a free download with initial resources. Thanks for joining us on this PBL journey!

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Reflection and New Beginnings | Episode 57

“Every conversation that we had on the podcast- it’s one of those ones you know that gets you more and more excited to do the work that’s in front of us...we know that that work can sometimes be challenging, but knowing that other people are out there doing that work and are excited for that work and are pushing the boundaries so that work in the future is even better even more rewarding-that’s the exciting part. ”
— Josh Giebel, PBL Playbook Podcast Host
“If you just binge listened to all our podcasts, the theme that would come out is ‘Don’t be afraid to fail.’ ”
— Andrea Behling, PBL Playbook Podcast Host

Welcome to the PBL Playbook, brought to you by Magnify Learning, where we help teachers find their sweet spot through PBL!

Make sure you follow us on Twitter: @magnifylearning, @askgiebs, @MissB103, #PBLPlaybook.

The final episode of 2021 is a bittersweet one for your hosts, Josh and Andrea. After four seasons of hosting the PBL Playbook, they have decided to hand over the reins to Magnify Learning Executive Director Ryan Steuer (@ryansteuer). In this end-of-year reflection episode, Ryan comes on the podcast to interview Josh and Andrea about the beginnings of the PBL Playbook, their favorite moments and pieces of advice, and to really get into the beauty of PBL. Josh and Andrea then talk to Ryan about the beginning and growth of Magnify Learning over the years as a boots-on-the-ground, for teachers by teachers PBL company.

Enjoy this episode as Josh and Andrea sign off for the last time, and stay tuned for more great PBL Playbook content coming every month!

Show Notes

*EPISODE 57 FULL SHOW NOTES

Resources & Links Related to this Episode

  1. Reflection

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Problem-Based Learning (PrBL), PBL Project Blitz | E56

Welcome to the PBL Playbook, brought to you by Magnify Learning – where we put teachers back in their sweet spot. Make sure you follow us on Twitter: @magnifylearning, @askgiebs, @MissB103, #PBLPlaybook.

In this special episode of the PBL Blitz series, Andrea interviews a familiar voice: Josh is the special guest on this Blitz episode to discuss PBL vs. PrBL (Problem Based Learning) and the authentic application of learning on a smaller scale. Especially in the math classroom, PrBL gives teachers and students an opportunity to engage with standards in an authentic application that is not quite the extent of a full PBL. The need for this could be because of the way standards flow or fit together, or maybe it is a first step for a newer facilitator of classroom PBL to start to integrate the strategies of PBL into the classroom. No matter the purpose, PrBL is a great way to incorporate the “Spirit of PBL” into the classroom on a small scale for engaging and authentic learning opportunities. Enjoy this special PBL Blitz episode

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Co-Teaching in PBL | Episode 55

In this episode of the PBL Playbook, our hosts chat with Andrew Larson (@andrewmlarson) and Bajorn Gaylord from CSA New Tech (@CSANewTechHS) in Columbus, IN. As long-time friends but first year co-teachers, the two build trust and respect through a co-teaching contract where they identified and decided on norms for grading, deadlines, planning, etc

Watersheds PBL Unit, PBL Project Blitz | E54

Welcome to the PBL Playbook, brought to you by Magnify Learning – where we put teachers back in their sweet spot. Make sure you follow us on Twitter: @magnifylearning, @askgiebs, @MissB103, #PBLPlaybook.

Josh and Andrea continue the PBL Project Blitz series where once a month, they highlight a PBL project by veterans in the PBL classroom. 

In this episode of the PBL Project Blitz, Megan Reedy from JCPS in Louisville, KY. Megan’s class at Dunn Elementary completed a Watershed PBL Unit  in which her first graders became conservationists in order to raise awareness about the human impact on watershed areas. Between science, reading and writing, and analysis of social impact, this cross-curricular PBL covered just about every subject for Megan’s first grade class. Megan tells our hosts how engaged her first graders became in making a difference in their community and on the environment, and how they were able to push past all expectations of students so young. Enjoy this episode of the PBL Playbook Project Blitz Series!

Stay tuned for more awesome projects as the PBL Project Blitz series continues every month!

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PBL Student Performance in Higher Ed | Episode 53

Join our hosts for episode 2 of their PBL & Higher Ed mini-series! This episode, they are joined by Dr. Jose Martinez, a Professor of Secondary Education at MSU Denver to talk about student performance in Higher Ed as it relates to PBL. This conversation takes two paths; the first discusses Dr. Martinez’s use of PBL components and strategies for his Education Program students at MSU Denver.

Food Literacy PBL Unit, PBL Project Blitz | E52

Welcome to the PBL Playbook, brought to you by Magnify Learning – where we put teachers back in their sweet spot. Make sure you follow us on Twitter: @magnifylearning, @askgiebs, @MissB103, #PBLPlaybook.

Josh and Andrea continue the PBL Project Blitz series where once a month, they highlight a PBL project by veterans in the PBL classroom. 

In this episode of the PBL Project Blitz, we hear from Noah Klein (@MrKleinAIC), an Instructional Coach at  Academy @ Shawnee (@Shawnee Academy) in Jefferson County Public Schools (@JCPSKY) in Louisville, KY. For this episode, Noah shares a project from his time in his 12th grade English classroom in which his students addressed the question, “Where does my food come from?” This food literacy project had students explore English, Math, and even Culinary Arts standards. Through research into ingredients and nutrition, Noah and his class partnered with local farmers as well as a local restaurant to create a nutritious dish to include on the restaurant's menu. Throughout this project, his students learned real-world skills such as utilizing ingredients to make a dish, as well as communication skills with their various community partners to create the best possible product and to sell their idea. Enjoy this delicious episode of the PBL Playbook Project Blitz Series!

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PBL in Higher Ed | Episode 51

In this episode, Josh and Andrea are joined by Dr. Lu Young (@LuSettlesYoung) of the University of Kentucky College of Education to discuss the role of PBL in Higher Education. While PBL has steadily continued to grow in K-12 education, it has been a slower process in Higher Ed institutions, even though the authenticity of PBL aligns with career-readiness goals of many collegiate academic programs.

Night of Remembrance PBL Unit, PBL Project Blitz | E50

Welcome to the PBL Playbook, brought to you by Magnify Learning – where we put teachers back in their sweet spot. Make sure you follow us on Twitter: @magnifylearning, @askgiebs, @MissB103, #PBLPlaybook.

Josh and Andrea continue the PBL Project Blitz series where once a month, they highlight a PBL project by veterans in the PBL classroom. 

In this episode of the PBL Project Blitz, your hosts chat with Jason Schackow (@jschackow) about his Night of Remembrance project. Although Jason now carries the title of Principal at Lakeland Jr./Sr. High School in LaGrange, IN, this project was completed when he was classroom teaching in an integrated World History / English course with high school sophomores. This Night of Remembrance Holocaust Walk used powerful historical content with literature to push students to create and host an event in their community. The impact of a project like this is felt by the students who completed it years after they finish their formal education and shows the incredible power of PBL. Listen to the full episode to hear all about this incredible project.

Stay tuned for more awesome projects as the PBL Project Blitz series continues every month!

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Community Partner Highlight-Heritage Farm | Episode 49

In this episode, Josh and Andrea have an extensive conversation with the staff of Heritage Farm in Bouckville, NY. Heritage Farm is an organization who services their community by providing young adults and adults with disabilities hands-on experiences on the farm to help them cultivate life skills.