I've sat through early Spring thunderstorms on high ridges in the Appalachian mountains with groups of borderline hypothermic students that made me question why I chose this line of work. But, when the sky finally opens up and the sunshine thaws the spirits of students and instructors alike, authentic empowerment and deep-seated confidence emerge. My approach in whatever educational scenario is to inspire these traits. From standing back to let students negotiate with 15 aggressive French-speaking Rwandans eager to take an American group of backpackers to their destination, to soothing student anxieties about an upcoming public presentation on their most recent project, the environment may change, but the message remains steadfast.

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When the classroom finally beckoned after years in experiential education, I wondered how I might translate those awe-inspiring experiences I witnessed into a school environment. That's how I discovered Project-Based Learning. As a science teacher, I immediately began developing hands-on, rigorous units that required relentless collaboration and problem-solving. I pushed students beyond their self-limiting perceptions and heightened expectations. What's more, I delighted in the creativity it required and the deep student engagement it cultivated!

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I worked for 5 years at Tri-County Early College, which is focused on Project-Based Learning and also a member of the Global Schools Alliance. My approach was as hands-on and relevant as I could muster.  I integrated the North Carolina standard course of study with an unabashedly Project-Based Learning approach, wherein students learned the content through answering a relevant "Driving Question" and produced various products that were used to assess their content knowledge and 21st Century Skills.  Feel free to share your ideas and feedback with me!

This website is primarily devoted to the sharing of ideas.  It is the repository of all of my PBL projects for students and will hopefully inspire fellow educators as well as my students to deeply explore the fascinating micro and macro worlds around them.