Empowering Learners Through Character, Confidence, and Community: What PBL Can Learn from Martial Arts 🥋

When we think of martial arts, we often picture high kicks, powerful strikes, and action-packed sequences. But what if I told you martial arts can also teach us something profound about education—especially when it comes to Project Based Learning (PBL)?

Let’s take a journey into the dojo of Matt Eyler, a former special education teacher turned martial arts studio owner, who’s using his background in education to transform young lives in and out of the classroom. His approach is a masterclass in building strong, emotionally intelligent learners—a goal that every PBL teacher shares.

In this blog, we’ll explore three key takeaways from his story that can enrich your PBL practice:

1. Confidence as a Skill, Not a Trait
   
2. Mentorship as a Model for Growth
   
3. Community Partners as Co-Educators
   

 

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1. Confidence Is a Skill We Can Teach 💪

In traditional classrooms, we often hope learners will “just become” confident. In a PBL classroom, we know confidence must be built—one meaningful challenge at a time.

Matt Eyler sees confidence not as a personality trait, but as a trainable skill. In his martial arts studio, learners begin every class by standing tall, speaking loudly, and reciting student creeds—positive mantras that reinforce purpose and pride. These simple rituals create a culture of affirmation and agency.

“Just that in itself is practicing—are you standing tall? Are you looking at your audience? Do you think you can be louder than me?” Matt explains.

It’s more than recitation. It’s rehearsal for real-world leadership. And just like a PBL unit, it’s structured, intentional, and authentic.

As PBL educators, how are we building in opportunities for learners to practice confidence? Presentations of learning and public showcases are great, but confidence isn’t built in the final performance—it’s shaped in the daily reps.

Try This:

• Start each class with affirmations tied to your project theme.
  
• Use “confidence checks” during group work—have learners reflect on how they’re growing as communicators, teammates, or self-advocates.
  
• Encourage voice and choice in how learners demonstrate their learning.
  

Confidence isn’t a cherry on top. It’s the base of the cake. 🍰

 

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2. Mentorship Builds Mastery for All Ages 🧠➡️🧠

One of the most PBL-aligned elements of Matt’s martial arts studio is his Leadership Team—a group of high-ranking students who mentor younger peers while continuing their own training. Sound familiar?

This is peer-to-peer learning done right. It’s scaffolded, purposeful, and rooted in the idea that teaching is one of the highest forms of learning.

“They not only train themselves, but attend professional development as well,” Matt shares. “They continue to grow their skills as martial artists, teachers, students, and individuals.”

In PBL classrooms, we often talk about collaboration—but mentorship takes it deeper. It invites learners to see themselves as leaders within the learning community, not just participants. It also naturally differentiates instruction—those who’ve mastered a skill can support those still in progress.

And let’s not forget: this isn’t just good for the mentees. Mentors become more confident, more reflective, and more articulate about their own learning journey.

Try This:

• Appoint “project leads” for PBL teams.
  
• Set up tuning protocols where learners give structured feedback.
  
• Pair up groups that are farther ahead in a project with groups that are behind.
  

Mentorship isn’t extra—it’s essential. When learners become teachers, your classroom becomes a true learning ecosystem. 🌱

 

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3. Community Partners Are Not Just a “Nice-to-Have” 🏘️

Too often, we think of community partners as the final piece of the puzzle—a showcase audience, a guest speaker, a one-off connection. But what if they were integral from the start?

Matt’s entire program is embedded in community need and response. From offering self-defense seminars to visiting local schools, he’s proving that learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door. In fact, that’s often where it begins.

“We are constantly relating what we do in martial arts to academics, to other sports, to how they create relationships with their friends, family, and neighbors,” Matt says.

This is the heart of PBL: authentic connections. It’s how we make content meaningful and skills transferable.

And here’s the magic—when community partners are deeply embedded in your project design, learners see themselves as part of a larger community outside the school. They’re not just solving problems for a grade. They’re solving problems that matter.

Try This:

• Involve community partners early in the project planning process.
  
• Ask local leaders to pose a driving question or real-world challenge.
  
• Celebrate the process, not just the product, by inviting partners into team check-ins or feedback sessions.
  

Community partnerships shouldn’t be an afterthought. They’re the bridge between classroom learning and real-world impact. 🌉

 

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Final Thoughts: From the Dojo to the PBL Classroom 🧭

Matt Eyler may have traded the classroom for the studio, but his heart never left education. His story is a powerful reminder that the core of our work isn’t just standards or scores—it’s learners. And learners need more than content. They need connection, confidence, and community.

So, what can we take with us?

🟡 Confidence can be taught.
🟡 Mentorship strengthens everyone involved.
🟡 Community partners aren’t optional—they’re transformational.

As you plan your next PBL unit, think beyond the project board. Think about the habits of mind, the leadership pathways, and the relationships that learners are building along the way. Because those are the things that will outlast any final presentation.

You have a future leader standing in front of you. Let’s keep building the kind of learning spaces where every learner can find their voice, own their learning, and make their mark. 💥

Ready for your next move?
🎯 What local partner could you bring into your next PBL unit?
🎯 Which learner could take on a mentoring role this week?
🎯 Where can you practice building confidence—one bold, loud voice at a time?

Let’s teach inspired. Let’s teach together. 👊