About Jill
At the 25-year mark of teaching middle school, I chose to "redesign my classroom." After 18 months of independent study and design as well as recruiting a team of like-minded teachers, we launched a fully integrated project-based learning experience for 100 students. This transformation was life-changing! Students were more highly engaged, challenged, and motivated. Their learning was deeper and more authentic. The community became involved in the real-world learning taking place. Teachers reported a greater feeling of success and motivation, as well.
In 2017, I founded Project Based Learning Consultants LLC. My goal is to bring high-quality project-based learning to more classrooms by offering customized professional development and coaching. My strength is bringing real-world boots-on-the-ground teaching experience, strategies, and support to teachers at all stages of their PBL journey.. I have facilitated in various school settings: large urban districts, community schools, parochial schools, small local districts, private schools, and more. Teachers, students, and their communities have the opportunity to experience the same career-changing experience I enjoyed in my last 5 years of teaching.
PBL is my passion.
So, how is PBL different than traditional school projects?
Project-based learning is a teaching method that is very different than just "doing projects." Traditional classroom projects come after the learning takes place. In other words, the teacher teaches the material, and the students follow up with a project.
PBL is an intentional design process where students engage with the content and standards as they complete the carefully crafted project. PBLWorks is considered a leader in the field of PBL. We follow current pedagogy for project design as well as other field-implemented procedures.
Jill Simpson, Owner.
Project-based Learning Consultants, LLC
Have Questions?
Email me!
When asked how PBL was different than their traditional school experience, our students responded in this video. Check out their whiteboard responses at the end!
"Been There Done It! Implementing PBL from Someone Who's Lived it"
Back in 2011, Jill and I traveled to San Diego, CA to visit High Tech High (the school showcased in the documentary Most Likely To Succeed). The purpose was to learn how they created real-world learning experiences for their students and duplicate it in an Ohio public school setting. Jill did just that. For the next five years, her classroom and team embodied project-based learning. She's able to craft experiences that are meaningful and relevant. Jill is an inspiration and truly a phenomenal leader. She's able to speak to the core of PBL because she lived and breathed it.
Jennifer W-Instruction & Innovation Coordinator
"When Jill talks about PBL she gives real examples, addresses the hurdles that students, teachers, and administrators need to address to support PBL in the classroom. She has real perspective earned through being a teacher in the PBL classroom."
Robert C. PBL teacher
"As a teacher of young people -- and other educators -- Jill has the 'it' factor. She is warm and funny and brilliant, and she's a master of instructional practice. If it's out there and worthwhile, she'll make it work for students and their teachers."
Judy J. Gifted Services
It was an excellent workshop. During one of the silent times during the tuning protocol, I was thinking that it was so worth "giving up" three days of summer to learn this. I am excited to transform my teaching through PBL. Jill is an excellent presenter! Classroom anecdotes, variety of activities, tips and tricks thrown in, and more made it an engaging workshop in addition to the PBL content.
Julie, 4th grade teacher
PBL pulled everything together for my son. Instead of studying disparate academic subjects, he learned how to analyze, problem solve, and present solutions. He gained skills and knowledge that he will use in real life. He was also able to see how what he learns in school is integrated and applied outside of school.
Cindy M, parent