PBL Simplified for Administrators by Magnify Learning

Magnify Learning
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PBL Simplified for Administrators by Magnify Learning

WHAT: PBL Podcast for School Administrators FREE RESOURCE: WhatisPBL.com for free PBL Resources for Administrators PBL Simplified for Administrators Helping School Leaders Launch Their PBL Vision Project Based Learning (PBL) isn’t just for classrooms—it’s a transformative school-wide approach that starts with leadership. Hosted by Ryan Steuer, founder of Magnify Learning, this podcast is designed exclusively for school administrators, principals, and district leaders who are ready to implement and sustain PBL in their schools. Each episode breaks down real-world leadership strategies to help you build a thriving PBL culture, from crafting a clear vision to supporting teachers and engaging your community. Tune in for solo episodes with Ryan packed with actionable insights, as well as guest interviews with top educational leaders who share their challenges, wins, and best practices in making PBL a success. If you're ready to shift from traditional instruction to authentic, learner-driven education, this is the podcast for you. 🎧 Subscribe now and start leading the PBL movement in your school!

  1. 4D AGO

    Building 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: pblmasterclass.com

    23 min

  2. JUL 1

    The 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

  3. JUN 24

    Empowering 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

  4. JUN 10

    Data 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

  5. MAY 27

    How 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

  6. MAY 13

    Emotional 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

    38 min

  7. APR 29

    How 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.

    18 min

  8. APR 15

    Transforming 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

    34 min
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WHAT: PBL Podcast for School Administrators FREE RESOURCE: WhatisPBL.com for free PBL Resources for Administrators PBL Simplified for Administrators Helping School Leaders Launch Their PBL Vision Project Based Learning (PBL) isn’t just for classrooms—it’s a transformative school-wide approach that starts with leadership. Hosted by Ryan Steuer, founder of Magnify Learning, this podcast is designed exclusively for school administrators, principals, and district leaders who are ready to implement and sustain PBL in their schools. Each episode breaks down real-world leadership strategies to help you build a thriving PBL culture, from crafting a clear vision to supporting teachers and engaging your community. Tune in for solo episodes with Ryan packed with actionable insights, as well as guest interviews with top educational leaders who share their challenges, wins, and best practices in making PBL a success. If you're ready to shift from traditional instruction to authentic, learner-driven education, this is the podcast for you. 🎧 Subscribe now and start leading the PBL movement in your school!

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