Testimonials
"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
For me, the PBL journey has been professionally transforming. The work I do on a PBL team is different in that I cannot just shut my door and teach science. I must constantly be in tune with what my students are working on in other classes and make connections. When planning my lessons, instead of talking about various topics, we venture out and explore things first hand. Students are using a hands on, investigative approach whenever possible. What we do as a team is definitely real world learning. There is no way I would go back to a traditional methodology of teaching science, and although it can be exhausting, I wouldn't have it any other way
Jaimie T. PBL teacher
"As an intervention specialist, I work with a population of students that have gone through years of struggling. Too often the same teaching strategies and methods are used time after time without any change in results. Project Based Learning is an opportunity for students to learn in a different way. It brings attention to their strengths and builds confidence with many real world skills that will develop future success. I wish all of my students had the opportunity to experience PBL at some point in their education!"
Doug W, Intervention Specialist
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
Jill recognized that our students, although very capable academically, were lacking some of the skills necessary to be successful in the real world. As a result, she and her team created a project-based learning environment that provides rigorous and authentic learning opportunities for our students where they are required to learn to communicate and collaborate effectively with adults and peers, solve real world problems, take risks, learn from mistakes, persevere, value other's perspectives, and to research with purpose. PBL has positively impacted the culture of our building and I am happy to say that it has now spread to all three grade levels. Jill's PBL efforts will continue to impact our Shanahan MS students for many years to come.
Josh M, Principal
"Been There Done It! Implementing PBL from Someone Who's Lived it"
Back in 2012, 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
As the parents of two students who have been involved in project-based learning we are confident in saying that our children had exceptional experiences with this pedagogy. We have witnessed both children develop an inquisitiveness for learning and expand on their critical thinking skills. We strongly feel that PBL encourages teamwork and a world view that will be critical to our children's success in the future.
Jill and Glenn F, Parents
Jill Simpson is dedicated to spreading the PBL approach. She wholeheartedly believes that every student can benefit from PBL, so much so that she transitioned her entire method of teaching just 4 years before retiring. She taught English but, more importantly, she taught kids how to think, create, and collaborate. Jill's journey through education led to her a passion for PBL and sharing the methods with other professionals. As exciting as PBL is, Jill also knows the amount of difficult work that it takes to implement several, complex and multifaceted projects while balancing student workload, time constraints, and space limitations. Jill is an excellent resource for any individual or group of educational professionals looking to implement PBL in their school.
Brooke E, Intervention Specialist
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