New cohort - Early Registration Now Open

How to Reach Every Student With Authentic Project-Based Learning

Unlock the power of ‘voice and choice’ for every student by
making project-based learning part of your curriculum

Instructor: John Spencer

Overview

Professor and best-selling author Dr. John Spencer is among the world’s foremost voices on the power of Project-Based Learning in K-12 schools. Now, John is partnering with the team at RocketPD to deliver an entirely new kind of professional learning experience for teachers and teams. As part of this multi-part cohort experience, you’ll work directly with John to close academic gaps and accelerate learning using the principles of Project-Based Learning and Collaborative Thinking.

Meet Your Instructor

John Spencer is a former middle school teacher and current full-time professor who is passionate about seeing teachers empower their students with voice and choice. He is the author of the best-selling books Launch, Empower, and Vintage Innovation. John has presented to audiences all over the world, including Hong Kong, Australia and the Netherlands, even the White House. His work focuses on helping teachers unleash the creative potential in all of their students, so that kids can be makers, designers, artists and engineers.

john spencer

The Experience

Here’s what to expect when you, or members of your team, sign up to learn about the power of creativity and project-based learning to accelerate learning with John Spencer.

Monthly learning conversations

Series of (9) guided virtual conversations designed to help you understand the principles of project-based learning, model PBL and the maker mindset in classroom practices and accelerate learning through creativity and collaborative thinking for all students.

Monthly creativity workshops (to demo PBL concepts)

In addition to monthly group conversations, every educator who registers for the Learning & Doing option (see packages below) is invited to participate in a monthly working session with John to explore new concepts, demo creative projects, ask questions and seek advice on implementation.

Bonus: Every registrant receives access to John’s PBL Toolkit

The Toolkit includes:
> 10 common questions about PBL
> The benefits of PBL in classrooms
> Design elements of PBL for teachers
> How to do PBL and still teach to standards

The Outcomes

The path to accelerated student learning through PBL starts with a committed approach and a willingness to think creatively. School leaders and teachers who complete this program, will learn to:

  • Use epic hands-on classroom lessons to engage students and promote voice and choice, wherever learning happens.
  • Help students engage in collaborative projects and critical thinking inside and outside the classroom.
  • Use the principles of PBL to inspire students and accelerate learning with a focus on creativity, teamwork and the practical application of real-world concepts.
  • Think differently about how they teach and provide new opportunities for students that more closely align to their interests and passions and keep them engaged.

The Schedule

Here’s a quick look at the topics we plan to cover each month. To sign up, or learn more about the timing of these sessions for you or your team, follow the link at the bottom on this page, or fill out the short form to ask questions.

Tuesday, January 18, 2022 | 3:00 - 4:30 PM EST

Opening Session: Introducing the Roadmap for Collaborative Thinking & Project-Based Learning

Tuesday, February 1, 2022 | 3:00 - 4:30 PM EST

A Framework for Using PBL to Accelerate Learning for Every Student

Tuesday, February 15, 2022 | 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 PM EST

The Difference Between Collaboration and Cooperation in Your Classroom

Tuesday, March 1, 2022 | 3:00 - 4:30 PM EST

10 Things That Happen When Students Engage in PBL

Tuesday, March 15, 2022 | 3:00 - 4:30 PM EST

5 Ways to Implement (and Manage) PBL in the Classroom

Tuesday, March 29th, 2022 | 3:00 - 4:30 PM EST

The Surprising Science of Project Fatigue (And How to Prevent It)

Tuesday, April 19, 2022 | 3:00 - 4:30 PM EST

Aligning PBL to Academic Standards

Tuesday, May 17, 2022 | 3:00 - 4:30 PM EST

7 Strategies for Improving Student Engagement (and How to Measure It)

Tuesday, June 7, 2022 | 1:00 - 4:00 PM EST

Closing Session: 5 of the Best PBL Programs We’ve Ever Seen – Done Right

What educators are saying …

“As we continue our journey to provide quality learning opportunities to our students, Johnʻs work will be an important resource. We highly encourage other schools to offer Johnʻs resources to their teachers.”

JoAnn Wong-Kam, Managing Director of Ho'olaukoa

Kamehameha Schools, Honolulu, HI

“Dr. Spencer inspired my teachers to get back to creating classrooms full of “creativity and wonder.” I now hear conversations among teachers as to how to “launch” a PBL project in their class, how they are incorporating empathy into projects, and how service learning is changing their students’ mindsets. “

Lauren Crabtree, Principal

Douglas County Schools, Douglasville, GA

“John brought a great deal of energy and a fun sense of humor to his workshop that created a fun learning atmosphere for our faculty in a stressful time. I highly recommend John’s workshop.”

Eric Fulmer, Dean of Faculty

Church Farm School, Exton, PA

Signup for this cohort at RocketPD.com

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the How to Reach Every Student With Authentic Project-Based Learning cohort?

Created by John Spencer, best-selling author, college professor and former classroom educator, the How to Reach Every Student With Authentic Project-Based Learning cohort is a nine-session virtual training program and hands-on workshop for K-12 educators, designed to help them use principles of project-based learning and collaborative thinking to close academic gaps and accelerate learning for all students. Registrations are available to individual educators and to district teams. Packages are available to suit different finances and time commitments.

Why do this as part of a cohort?

Created by John Spencer, best-selling author, college professor and former classroom educator, the How to Reach Every Student With Authentic Project-Based Learning cohort is a nine-session virtual training program and hands-on workshop for K-12 educators, designed to help them use principles of project-based learning and collaborative thinking to close academic gaps and accelerate learning for all students. Registrations are available to individual educators and to district teams. Packages are available to suit different finances and time commitments.