PBL Champions 2023

The annual awards for PBL Champions are a celebration of the individuals and teams who are impacting and expanding the work of Project Based Learning in education.

 

Everyday Leaders in Project Based Learning

The recipients of the PBL Champions 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. Award recipients will be honored during a reception held on June 27, 2023. 

In addition, recipients receive complimentary registration to their choice 3-day workshop at PBL World.
Note: Complimentary registrations are non-refundable and non-transferable. Travel and lodging are not included. 

  • 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

Following PBL World, all nominees will have an opportunity to share their stories through the PBLWorks Marketing team.

APPLICATION CLOSED

Prompts for Individual Nominations

  • How have they 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.
Timeline & Eligibility

Public nominations are open until March 3, 2023. Award recipients will be contacted by April 7, and invited to attend PBL World (June 27-29). The awards will be presented at a reception at PBL World on June 27, 2023.

Eligibility. Nominations for the 2023 PBL Champion Awards are limited to individuals, schools, and districts that are based in the United States and territories.

"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

2023 PBL Champions

2023 – INDIVIDUAL

Cynthia Rothdeutsch 
Principal of Kamali'i Elementary School in Maui, Hawaii 
Maui, Hawaii

Read more

2023 – CHAMPION SCHOOL

Mary M. Walsh School
Springfield, Massachusetts 

Read more

2023 - DISTRICT CHAMPION

Clark County School District
Las Vegas, Nevada

Read more

2023 - STATE PBL CHAMPION (FIRST EVER)
Dr. Jason Glass, Kentucky Commissioner of Education

Read more

Past PBL Champions


2022 – INDIVIDUAL

Kendall Van Valkenburg
High School English Teacher at Red Canyon Alternative High School
Gypsum, Colorado
Read more
 
2022 – CHAMPION SCHOOL

Thomas A. Edison Career and Technical Education High School
Queens, New York
Read more

2022 – CHAMPION DISTRICT

Broward County Public Schools
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Read more

2021 – INDIVIDUAL

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 DISTRICTS 

Pearl City Waipahu Complex Area 
Hawaii Department of Education 
Hawaii 
Read more
 
Manchester School District 
New Hampshire 
Read more
 
PBL CHAMPION OF THE DECADE

George Lucas 
Film Director, Producer, Screenwriter, and Entrepreneur 
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