Project Based Learning
“I was the high-energy class teacher, and my voice would be gone by the end of the day because I was doing too much teaching and instruction versus student-driven learning,” shares Andre Daughty, a nationally recognized educator and PBLWorks National Faculty member. “I had some of those introverts who hated to talk start talking, students started catching up, and it transformed everything.”
His story is one of many that highlight the power of Project-Based Learning (PBL) to transform classrooms. This summer, San Mateo-Foster City School District educators attended PBL World, a national gathering focused on giving students more voice, choice, and opportunities to solve real-world problems. “What made PBL World so different from other conferences was watching our teachers engage as learners, asking big questions, collaborating across teams, and pushing their thinking in ways that mirror the innovative classrooms we want for students,” shares Pam Bartfield, Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction for Elementary Schools. “We were able to collaborate with educators from across the United States and get immediate feedback on some of the ideas on the units we were designing over the summer,” highlights Julie Flores, Teacher at Beresford Elementary.
“It was so inspiring to be in a space where teachers and administration had the opportunity to be learners and experience how dynamic project-based learning can be,” says Jadelyn Chang, principal of Beresford Elementary. Teachers returned inspired to bring these strategies into their own classrooms, creating lessons that connect deeply with students’ lives and spark their curiosity. “I have been to a lot of trainings, and this one had a lot of hope,” shares Nicole Habeeb-Ling, a Language and Literacy Teacher on Special Assignment at Beresford Elementary School. “It really showed the power of access and what that can do to our students.”
The district is currently piloting PBL at two schools — Beresford Elementary and Lead Elementary — where 4th and 5th-grade teachers are beginning to bring PBL strategies into their classrooms. Both schools had educators attend PBL World over the summer, and they are now building projects that ask students to think critically, work collaboratively, and connect their learning across subjects like science, math, English language arts, and social studies.
In alignment with the district’s current Strategic Plan, Project-Based Learning directly connects to the goals of achievement, equity, and wellness. By centering student voice, PBL allows learners to express themselves in any language, ensuring maximum participation and inclusion for all. This approach not only honors the diverse cultural and linguistic assets of SMFCSD students but also builds confidence and belonging in the classroom.
At the same time, PBL strengthens achievement by aligning with California Standards across subject areas. Whether solving a problem through science, analyzing data in math, developing arguments in English language arts, or exploring history in social studies, students apply their skills in meaningful, interdisciplinary ways. In doing so, they grow as independent thinkers, collaborators, and problem-solvers, all while staying deeply engaged in their learning.
For many educators, the impact is immediate. By designing units that ask students to investigate authentic challenges, teachers see learners who are more motivated, more willing to share their voices, and more eager to come to school every day. “Our team’s excitement around this work is deeply inspiring, and I’m excited to see that our students will have the opportunity to be curious, creative, and joyful learners,” comments Pam Bartfield.
As the pilot continues, SMFCSD will be capturing these stories and sharing the projects students create throughout the year. Upcoming videos will highlight student voices, showcasing how PBL is shaping independent thinkers who analyze problems critically and apply their skills to design solutions.
The shift toward Project-Based Learning is part of the district’s broader mission to ensure that every child feels excited and motivated to come to school each day. By equipping teachers with tools from PBL World and beyond, SMFCSD is building classrooms where students don’t just imagine the future, they actively create it, empowered with the agency and confidence to shape their own learning journeys.