The PBL Champion Awards

The awards for PBL Champion are an annual celebration of the school districts, schools, and individuals for their commitment to providing high quality Project Based Learning.
PBL Champion - School, District, Individual

Everyday Leaders in Project Based Learning

 

The recipients of the PBL Champion awards demonstrate a commitment to PBL; have done quality, lasting work; and have shown evidence of impact on students.

They are champions of Project Based Learning in their schools or districts and in the education community.

Curious? Explore the list of past PBL Champions

Presented annually at PBL World

The awards are presented each year at PBL World, the premier event for Project Based Learning. Each award recipient is invited to share their story during one of the morning keynote sessions.

In addition, recipients receive complimentary registration to their choice 3-day workshop at PBL WorldNote: Complimentary registrations are non-refundable and non-transferable.

  • Individual Champion: one (1) complimentary registration to PBL World
  • School Champion: two (2) complimentary registrations to PBL World
  • District Champion: three (3) complimentary registrations to PBL World

 

Prompts for Individual Nominations

  • How they have contributed to the advancement of PBL?
  • Describe their impact on students, teachers, or leaders engaging in PBL.
  • How have they contributed to PBL advanced racial equity for Black and Brown students?
  • What else would you like to share about their PBL journey or the contributions they have made to the PBL journey of others?

Prompts for School or District Nominations

  • Describe how PBL is "main course" for students in this school. (Not sure? Read more here.)
  • Why has PBL been transformative for this school or district?
  • What evidence is there that this school or district has advanced racial equity for Black and Brown students. Please be specific.
  • What else would you like to share about this school's PBL journey?
  • Identify the PBL workshops that educators in the school or district have participated in.

Our PBL Champions have positively impacted students by implementing high quality Project Based Learning. We honor these individuals and organizations, so that others can learn from their experiences and expertise.

Bob Lenz , CEO, PBLWorks

Past PBL Champions

2023 – Champion

Cynthia Rothdeutsch

Principal of Kamali‘i Elementary School

Read more

2023 – School Champion

Mary M. Walsh Elementary School

Springfield, Massachusetts

Read more

2023 – DISTRICT Champion

Clark County School District

Nevada

Read more

2023 – STATE Champion

Dr. Jason Glass

Kentucky Commissioner of Education

Read more

2022 – Champion

Kendall Van Valkenburg

High School English Teacher at Red Canyon Alternative High School (Gypsum, Colorado)

Read more

2022 – SCHOOL Champion

Thomas A. Edison Career and Technical Education High School

 Queens, New York

Read more

2022 – DISTRICT Champion

Broward County Public Schools

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Read more

2021 – Champion

Dr. Yolanda Roberson

Interventionist at John P. Freeman Optional School (Memphis, Tennessee)

Read more

2021 – Champion SCHOOL

Waxpool Elementary School

Loudoun County Public Schools, Virginia

Read more

2021 – Champion District

 Pearl City Waipahu Complex Area

 Waipahu, Hawaii

Read more

2021 – Champion District

Manchester School District

Manchester, New Hampshire

Read more

2020 – Individual

Mark Chun

Designer at the Stanford University "d.school" (Hasso Plattner Institute of Design)

Read more

2019 – Individual

Ron Berger

Chief Academic Officer at EL Education and author of An Ethic of Excellence

Read more

2019 – Champion School

Billie Martinez Elementary School

Greeley-Evans School District 6
Greeley, Colorado

Read more

2019 – Champion DISTRICT

Burkburnett Independent School District

Burkburnett, Texas

Read more

2018 – Champion

Laura McBain

K12 Lab Director of Community and Implementation at the Stanford "d.school"

Read more

2018 – Champion SCHOOL

The Malama Honua Public Charter School

Waimanalo, Hawaiʻi

Read more

2018 – Champion District

Loudoun County Public Schools

Loudoun County, Virginia

Read more