What people are saying about PBL Path...
"Micki, Erin and Charity bring a depth of experience to this work. With an intense focus on social justice and equity, this team is skilled in facilitating systemic change, has a deep knowledge of pedagogy and the coaching acumen to move leaders, teachers and communities to deeper, more thoughtful, more effective practice. One of my favorite projects is the Picturing the Possibilities video series, where this team used its expertise to tell the stories of teachers across the country engaged in deeper learning. PBL Path stands out in our national network of educational innovators.” Vertical Divider
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"I have worked with Micki for over 30 years and have I hired her to help me-and have always been so appreciative of her work. She has worked around the globe on social justice issues-Greenpeace International, Gorbachev’s Perestroika initiatives for young people, Buck Institute for Education to name just a few- and on facilitating teacher growth. She is an excellent curriculum designer and an outstanding facilitator. Micki and Erin have produced excellent films of teachers doing pbl and together they make a team that is focused, has follow-through, and are excellent problem solvers. I would hire them again in a minute." Vertical Divider
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"Erin brought an incredible amount of knowledge regarding project-based learning to Chief Leschi Schools. Research shows that PBL has powerful impact on student learning in Native communities because classroom learning is attached to real world situations that benefit the community and the tribe. She worked tirelessly to help teachers develop procedures to implement PBL to help students demonstrate mastery of learning concepts. Her work has changed how teachers perceive learning and has helped us as a system extend the learning beyond the walls of the classroom and into our community. We are grateful that someone with such expertise in this field has chosen to work with Chief Leschi." |
"Whitney Plantation is the only former plantation in Louisiana to focus exclusively on the people who were enslaved and who built the foundations of the United States. The legacy of institution of slavery in this country impacts Americans every day. When PBL Path contacted the Whitney Plantation to workshop with teachers on our site, PBL Path created an environment which excels beyond the traditional museum- classroom relationship. Each time PBL Path brings teachers to Whitney Plantation, educators immerse themselves in an in-depth study of the history of slavery in this nation. By walking the grounds of a former plantation and reading the words of those who have been enslaved in this nation, teachers are equipped with the tools to aid their students in exercises of critical thinking to look for examples of the repercussive racial impacts slavery has had on our nation. Civic engagement naturally develops when students can not only learn about both historical and current racial injustices, but can also make correlations between the two. That is what PBL Path does, it fosters a learning environment where students see not only the need for change but their ability to make an impact on the world around them, starting in their own community." Vertical Divider
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"Project Based Learning enhances my teaching by engaging all of my students in classroom. When students are engaged in the learning, it improves learning and the environment. Teaching black history can be difficult because it can be unexciting and repetitive topic for students especially in elementary school. Participating in the Whitney partnership with PBL Path changed my teaching tremendously. I had the opportunity to visit and experience Whitney Plantation twice; first with my colleagues and then with my students. My first visit left a mark on my heart forever. It was very interesting to learn about the history of the plantation. The historical connections that I made were eye opening. As a teacher, we were able to plan more effectively for our Whitney field trip with our students. During my students visit Whitney Plantation; students were engaged, inquisitive, and very eager to learn about the history of slavery in south Louisiana. Participating in the Whitney partnership with PBL Path was remarkable. Students brought back everything they’ve learned and applied it to their project. I believe the visit to Whitney also left a mark on their hearts forever." Vertical Divider
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"The partnership with PBL Path and the Whitney Plantation allowed teachers to move past isolated assignments to more integrated projects, thus increasing student engagement across all content areas. Charity lead our staff through the process of experiencing the Whitney Plantation as learners and project designers, then facilitated the design process using the place based learning principles with teachers in our PLC meetings. Charity coordinated place based expeditions for the students to experience Whitney Plantation and helped teachers to ensure that the place based learning was an ongoing and consistent process that encapsulated the district curriculum and most importantly forged connections to the students’ lives! Charity is an engaging facilitator and dedicated to understanding the dynamics of our school and community. Students and teachers made real life connections that all were able to speak about. It was truly an AMAZING experience." |