How to Plan a PBL Movement | E253

In this episode of PBL Simplified for Administrators, Ryan Steuer breaks down how school and district leaders can intentionally plan and sustain a Project Based Learning (PBL) movement—without waiting for the “perfect time” or burning out their staff. This is a practical, leadership-focused roadmap for turning PBL from a few isolated classrooms into a lasting system-wide shift.

🔑 Key Topics Covered

1. Don’t Wait for Summer

PBL momentum doesn’t have to wait for summer professional development. Ryan makes the case for moving during the school year—especially in the second semester—when leadership teams can see PBL in action, experience the culture, and begin shaping a real plan instead of talking in theory.

2. See the Work Before You Lead the Work

The fastest way to understand PBL is to experience it live in a model school. Ryan explains why bringing a leadership team—not just one administrator—creates shared understanding, shared language, and long-term alignment. This isn’t a “dog and pony show”; it’s real classrooms, real students, real questions.

3. Innovators First

Not everyone needs to be on board on day one. Ryan walks through the innovation curve and explains why PBL work should start with innovators and early adopters—then spread through visible success in your own building. Laggards aren’t the problem; they’re just not first.

4. Mission, Vision, and Values That Actually Get Used

A PBL movement requires more than a framed mission statement. Leaders must collaboratively define and live their mission, vision, and values—along with openly naming hopes and fears. When teams feel heard, resistance drops and trust increases.

5. Teacher Voice Is Non-Negotiable

Teachers talk to teachers first. That’s reality. Ryan explains why teacher representation on leadership teams accelerates buy-in, builds credibility, and creates early classroom wins that convince the early majority far more effectively than mandates ever could.

6. The Power of a Clear, Written Three-Year Plan

Short-term initiatives fail. A transparent, written three-year plan signals commitment, stability, and seriousness. Ryan shares why teachers rightfully wait out initiatives—and how a long-term plan with coaching, training, and internal capacity building changes that dynamic completely.

7. Leadership Teams Over Lone Heroes

Top-performing schools don’t rely on one visionary leader. They build leadership teams—and teams within teams—to handle innovation, coaching, community partnerships, and reflection. Sustainable PBL requires distributed leadership, not superhuman administrators.

🧭 Ready to See Where You Stand?

Ryan introduces the PBL Readiness Scorecard™, a free interactive tool that helps leaders identify strengths, growth areas, and next steps across vision, leadership capacity, and student outcomes.

👉 Take the assessment at pblscore.com