Let me take you back to 2013.
I was part of launching one of the first New Tech Network schools. It was a bold move—one that placed learners at the center and asked teachers to step into the role of facilitators, not deliverers. It was more than a shift in instruction—it was a cultural reawakening.
And it worked.
We were in a building long labeled “failing.” Over 75% of our learners qualified for free and reduced lunch. But Project Based Learning lit a fire.
- Discipline referrals dropped by 50%.
- Attendance rose 1.5%.
- Test scores were climbing—and in an “F” school, we were heading toward a “B”.
But the real magic?
Young people who had given up were reengaging. Learners who hadn’t turned in work in months were suddenly producing thoughtful, thorough projects. Our classrooms were alive—with curiosity, collaboration, and real-world relevance.
Teachers were re-energized. Learners were empowered.
We had the systems.
We had the momentum.
We had the vision.
The Turning Point: When Leadership Isn’t Ready
And then it happened.
Turnover.
Our original assistant principals—both passionate advocates for PBL—moved on. In came new leaders, untrained in Project Based Learning. One in particular thought she understood the model. But good intentions aren’t enough when the work is this nuanced.
Without realizing it, her decisions began to unravel the very systems we’d worked so hard to build.
Support structures were removed.
Professional development priorities shifted.
The learner-centered culture started to crack.
And just like that, the momentum vanished.
Fast forward to today, and you wouldn’t even recognize the school. Same name. Same building. But the heart of the PBL movement that once pulsed through every hallway? Gone.
💡 What’s the Lesson?
The lesson is not that PBL doesn’t work. We saw firsthand that it does—when supported well.
The lesson is this:
Without trained leadership, even the most inspiring educational models will fade.
Teachers can’t carry the weight alone. They can design gold-standard projects, build powerful community partnerships, and guide learners through authentic inquiry. But without leaders who understand, align, and champion the vision, it won’t last.
The Case for PBL Leadership Training
We need to stop thinking of PBL leadership training as optional.
It’s non-negotiable.
Why?
Because PBL is more than a set of instructional strategies. It’s a cultural shift.
- Leaders must align the vision across grade levels and departments.
- They must support teachers when the process gets messy.
- They must protect the work when outside pressures threaten to pull the focus.
Strong leadership is the backbone of sustainable PBL. Without it, even the most passionate teachers burn out or drift back to traditional models under pressure.
A quote from PBL Simplified reminds us, “You are not just changing your instruction—you’re changing your culture. And culture doesn’t sustain itself by accident.”
What PBL-Ready Leadership Looks Like
PBL-ready leaders are not just managers of logistics. They are stewards of purpose.
Here’s what they do differently:
🧭 They create alignment.
Every initiative—from SEL to academic interventions—connects back to the PBL vision.
🧠 They invest in teacher learning.
They model inquiry, build collaborative teams, and treat every PLC as a space for professional growth.
🛠️ They maintain structures.
Clear expectations. Time for planning. Processes for reflection. These aren’t “extras”—they’re essentials.
🎯 They keep the “why” in sight.
Even when test scores loom or staffing shifts, they return to the core question: What’s best for our learners?
How We Build That Kind of Leadership
At Magnify Learning, we’ve seen what’s possible when leaders and teachers grow together.
That’s why our PBL Mastery Pathway includes a two-pronged approach:
- Deep, embedded training for classroom facilitators
- Targeted coaching and capacity-building for school leaders
This approach doesn’t just launch great projects—it builds the foundation for long-term success. Schools that thrive with PBL year after year have one thing in common: leadership that is aligned, equipped, and all-in.
🎯 A Quick Litmus Test: Is Your Leadership Team Ready for PBL?
- Do they understand what PBL looks like in action?
- Can they articulate how PBL aligns with your school’s mission?
- Are they building time, training, and structures to support teacher growth?
- Will they defend PBL when challenges arise—or let it fade?
If you hesitated on any of those… now’s the time to invest.
Call to Action: Lead the Shift
The good news? You don’t have to figure this out alone.
You just have to start.
If you’re committed to making Project Based Learning thrive in your school or district—not just this year, but for years to come—then your leadership team needs support, too.
Let’s build schools where:
✔ Learner voice drives the work
✔ Teachers feel supported and inspired
✔ Leaders are confident and clear about the path forward
📩 Reach out to Magnify Learning and explore how our PBL Leadership Training can help sustain the culture you’re trying to build.
Because transformational learning doesn’t happen by chance.
It happens by design.