The “quality” descriptor is definitely appropriate. Lee Anna modeled protocols and pedagogy so we could get direct experience using strategies before taking them back to our classrooms. I left the workshop with a plan for a project based learning unit that had been critiqued by my peers before I try it with my students. The feedback from other professionals was extremely helpful in planning my first project based learning unit. I learned so much and made some excellent connections with new colleagues. Thank you again for the Quality Project Based Learning Workshop!
– Kate Drummond, High School Science Teacher, Skowhegan Area High School, Skowhegan, Maine
Pace throughout the three-day workshop is great. The changes kept our attention. I really feel empowered. Presenter was kind, inclusive, well organized. She was a good listener, friendly, and a good communicator.
– Andrea Keushguerian, High School Special Education Teacher and Model United Nations Advisor, Lincoln Academy, Newcastle, Maine
Excellent. Materials guided and supported the workshop themes. Lee Anna was very positive, organized, and obviously believes in PBL and enjoyed doing the workshop.The group work/collaboration was the best. William Wallace, Environment and Social Justice, Teaching in the Sciences, additional Education courses, Bates College (Lewiston, Maine)
Excellent. Workshop strongly supported planning high quality project-based learning. I liked having many different activities interspersed with working on our projects. It gave us a chance to gradually build on feedback, instead of being overwhelmed. The variety of activities kept things interesting and gave us multiple ways of learning and collaborating. It was easy to keep a fun energy going.
Dr. Jess Clawson, Assistant Director of Transformative Teaching & Learning, Gender & Women’s Studies, History, First Year Seminar, Shenandoah University (Winchester, Virginia)
Excellent in supporting my learning about PBL. It was a comprehensive process. Every step thought out and supported with excellent tools. Especially helpful were all the resources and Lee Anna. I look forward to more engagement and excitement as my students work on something real. I highly recommend this workshop to any professor who would like to prepare their students for the real world. Tove Rasmussen, Adjunct Professor, Business, International Business, University of New England, Biddeford, Maine
I enjoyed the collaboration and practicing of tasks. I appreciated all the resources. Thank you!
– Mrs. Currier, Grade Four Teacher, Edgecomb Eddy Elementary, AOS 92, Edgecomb, Maine
Lee Anna, thank you for the fun and exciting workshop! Was just what we needed. This year has been difficult for us all and it was refreshing to have fun and learn some great skills.
– John LeRoy, PBL Specialist, K-3, BCIS, Barnstable Public Schools, Hyannis, MA
Excellent. I never knew there was so much to PBL! This workshop has inspired me to create more concrete projects in my courses. I truly enjoyed the small group work and hands-on activities. I really enjoyed how we learned, then did an exercise to implement it. Also, engaging ideas from one another. I am thrilled to try this out with my students – and even present it/recommend it to faculty members. Kristen Columbus, Assistant Clinical Professor, Undergrad and Graduate, Dental Hygiene Theory, Concepts, and Clinical Application, University of New England, Portland, Maine
This workshop is filled with excellent information, was very interactive, and provided the experience needed and wanted for project-based learning. – Susan Beaulieu, Special Education Teacher, Mt. View Middle School, RSU 3, Unity, Maine
It was fantastic! I had limited knowledge of project-based learning and wanted to gain knowledge. I received much more than expected. She breaks down every step into workable pieces. We had tons of resources. I enjoyed the collaboration with peers. Thank you so much! – Dee Butler, High School Alternative Education, Summit Academy, Houlton, Maine
Workshop was well done.
Talking with participants teaching outside my discipline and grade level gave me feedback I wouldn’t be able to get from peers in my own department.
Sue Klemmer, High School Physics/Chemistry Teacher, Camden Hills Regional High School, Rockport, Maine
This was informative, helpful, and engaging. Thank you!
Michelle Fravel, First Grade Teacher, BCIS, Barnstable Public Schools, Hyannis, MA
Lee Anna provided us with many instructional tools that immersed us in the project-based learning experience…It was helpful to walk step-by-step through the process of project-based learning and come out with a well developed plan to implement in the classroom. I enjoyed the level of collaboration and discussion. Thank you! – Mary Dionne, Middle School Math and Science, St. Michael School, Augusta, Maine
The workshop supported my planning quality project-based learning – Strongly Agree. I am new to PBL this year (first in my district!) so I needed to know what I was getting into! I learned strategies to ensure students stay on track during their project – YES! I have a clear beginning point and lots of resources from the book and Google Drive resources to help keep me going.
– Sherri Willey, Grades 3/4 Experiential Learning Classroom, Miles Lane School, RSU 25, Bucksport, Maine
All the worksheets and tricks to create and sustain a productive PBL classroom were of immense value. I loved the instructor’s non-combative, peaceful demeanor. My teaching philosophy was validated. I look forward to this coming school year. – Josefine Eltzroth, Grades 8-12, World Language German Teacher, Mt. Ararat High School, MSAD 75, Topsham, Maine
I learned strategies to ensure student stay on track during the project – Very Strong. [We had] collaboration with colleagues, all of the resources, and time to plan.
– Bree Bianchi, Grade 4, Falmouth Elementary School, Falmouth Public Schools, Falmouth, Maine
Lee Anna modeling project-based learning was very effective. We really “learned by doing.” I really appreciated having the time and support to develop plans for my project. I will be (almost!) ready to start a project in September!
– Amy Farmer, Kindergarten Teacher, Falmouth Elementary School, Falmouth, Maine
Lots of great information. Building the project step-by-step made planning a quality project feel more manageable. Having opportunities to share my project and obtain feedback from peers throughout the planning process was invaluable – it allowed me to push my project to the next level. – Amanda Blunda, 3rd/4th Grade Experiential Learning Teacher, Buxton Center Elementary School, MSAD #6, Buxton, Maine
The workshop provided a collaborative step-by-step approach to project-based learning. Lee Anna was very kind and shared a wealth of information. I was able to come up with a great challenge question and received so much feedback from the group in planning. Also Day 3 was full of strategies. Loved it! Thank you.
– Sophia Stephney, Dean of Humanities and 8th Grade ELA Teacher, New Heights Charter School, Brockton, MA
Lee Anna was patient, knowledgeable, and had very useful supports and ideas. She provided a structured workshop with lots of useful resources and helpful group work time to discuss the PBL process with peers.
– Larissa Lasselle, Sixth Grade Teacher, Valley Rivers Middle School, MSAD #27, Fort Kent, Maine
Dr. Stirling provided a safe and supportive climate. She was understanding and patient and modeled many implementation steps of Quality Project-Based Learning. She facilitated conversations with different groups keeping them on track with suggestions and feedback. Dr. Stirling was positive and helpful to all members of the group. Gentle, open-ended questions would lead participants to deepening understandings. Thanks so much.
– Frances Savage, Teacher, Grade 3, Teague Park Elementary School, RSU 39, Caribou, Maine
The workshop was wonderful!… The preparing for an Ebola epidemic unit created an engaging environment to review linear functions from Algebra I and to introduce new Algebra II functions. It was exciting to see the students take ownership in their work and see real-world applications for new material. – Tennille Moore, Math Teacher, Mt. Desert Island High School, Bar Harbor, Maine
Lee Anna was friendly and helpful. The information was extremely valuable. Lee Anna also gave us examples and websites to make a formidable toolbox. Both Lee Anna and the team I worked with inspired me.
– Patty Sponheimer, Kindergarten Teacher, Katahdin Elementary School, Stacyville, Maine
The presenter was structured and organized and allowed time for participants to interact and give and receive effective feedback.– Deirdre Mone, Director of Admissions and Gr 6-8 Technology Projects Teacher, Iona Prep, New Rochelle, NY
Thanks for a great workshop Lee Anna! What a great group we had! I feel really happy that I came to this. You provided tons of great resources that I’ll be able to use going forward. Thanks so much for facilitating an authentic learning community!
Billie Cleveland
ELA – Reading/Writing Teacher
Maranacook Community Middle School, RSU 38
Readfield, Maine
Educators Peer Coaching. I did so enjoy the workshop it was comfortable, informative, and practical; I feel like I can go to school in the fall, review my notes, and put peer coaching into practice. I know the staff enjoyed the workshop at least as much as I did and I feel very comfortable recommending your workshops to the administration in MSAD 11.
Susan Shepherd, Teaching Principal
Teresa S. Hamlin School/MSAD 11
Randolph, Maine/Gardiner, Maine
Educators Peer Coaching. The workshop prepared me for peer coaching. I feel I could both learn from peer coaching and help someone else. The workshop was clear, organized and we had time to work together. Time flew.
Deborah Viens
Kindergarten Teacher
Teresa C. Hamlin School/MSAD 11
Randolph, Maine/Gardiner, Maine
– Quality Project Based Learning. This is a great workshop! Lee Anna Stirling is very knowledgeable in this area. Provided great resources and discussion. The pace and activities varied, kept teachers engaged. I love how you modeled the activities. Looking forward to taking this back to my school.
Leslie Marquis
High School Science Teacher
Community High School, MSAD 27
Fort Kent, Maine
– Quality Project Based Learning. The workshop walked us through the steps to implement project based learning in any classroom environment. I came in with little to no knowledge of project based learning and am leaving the workshop with a project ready to roll out with my students. I enjoyed the information I gained and also the networking with other educators. Lee Anna clearly understands the process of effective instruction. Great experience!
Jessica DeJongh
Teacher, Grade 3
Farrington School
Augusta School Department
Augusta, Maine
– Quality Project Based Learning. This workshop gave me the opportunity to focus on a unit to teach with valuable feedback from other participants. Lee Anna provided a variety of ways to present information and share. The workshop was very well organized and moved at just the right pace. There was a lot of time to bounce ideas off of other people from a variety of backgrounds and grade levels. We had plenty of time to actually create our project. I already have ideas for a couple more challenges! I loved the collaboration among everyone present. It epitomized the 4Cs – collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity.
Lori Swenson
Teacher, Grade 3
Bloomfield Elementary, RSU 54
Skowhegan, Maine
– Educators Peer Coaching. The workshop was very helpful in preparing me for peer coaching. I liked how it was presented in manageable steps and not overwhelming. I love that arts were incorporated into the workshop. The presenter was knowledgable and kind. I like this peer coaching model because it is teacher-centered vs. coach-centered.
Bonnie Bannister, Second/Third Grade Teacher
Teresa C. Hamlin School/MSAD 11
Randolph, Maine/Gardiner, Maine
– Quality Project Based Learning. Lee Anna Stirling is exceptional as a presenter. This course totally exceeded my expectations! Lee Anna provided time to listen, time to write, time to learn. We had time to share and assist peers. The format was weighted perfectly so as to accentuate standards and assessments. Using the outline it was ideal to take my reflection notes. She listens to us and learned about us individually. Lee Anna’s pace is excellent. I especially loved having daily agendas in front of me each day, to follow along. This class gives me the confidence to not put off my learning progress.
Sally Merchant
Mt. Desert Island High School
Bar Harbor, Maine
– Educators Peer Coaching. This workshop was helpful. I learned about the role of the coach and the teacher and how to do both. We had time to talk which was enjoyable.
Cynthia Snow, First Grade Teacher
Teresa C. Hamlin School, MSAD 11
Randolph, Maine/Gardiner, Maine
– Quality Project Based Learning. Lee Anna is very friendly and knowledgeable, had many resources. Very open to ideas, positive. Everyone seemed highly motivated. Time was well managed. The material is useful. I really didn’t know what this class would be about when I signed up, but after the first session I could see how my whole project would play out.
Amy Hart
William S. Cohen Middle School, Bangor School Department
Bangor, Maine
– Quality Project Based Learning. This workshop provided tools/structure I can bring back and model for teachers. The various protocols, developing my project, time to work, and conversations/feedback from peers were very valuable.
Jandrea True, Principal
Tremont Consolidated School, Bass Harbor, Maine
Mt. Desert Island Regional School System, AOS 91
Bar Harbor, Maine
– Quality Project Based Learning. Great job.
Jolane Clawson
Special Education ELA and Math, Grades 4-6
Piscatquis Community Elementary School, SAD #4, Guilford, Maine
– Educators Peer Coaching. I enjoyed discussing ways to partner coach. I appreciate this peer coaching model because it is non-evaluative.
Stephanie Dickson, Third, Fourth, Fifth Grade Teacher
Teresa C. Hamlin School, MSAD 11
Randolph, Maine/Gardiner, Maine
– Quality Project Based Learning. This course exceeded my expectations. I really was in the dark about challenge-solving projects and how effective they could be. Lee provided exceptional attention to group as well as the individual. She is a very thoughtful presenter.
Dana Geel
Bangor High School, Bangor School Department
Bangor, Maine
Very worthwhile workshop. Great job presenting. Great being able to collaborate.
– Jill Kelley Third Grade Teacher, BCIS, Barnstable Public Schools, Hyannis, MA
We really needed this PD. PBL is the model of our innovation school. The workshop had active participation, classroom application, and perfect amount of information, not too overwhelming. Thank you!
– Andrea Burnett, First Grade Teacher, BCIS, Barnstable Public Schools, Hyannis, MA
Very helpful workshop. Good talking to colleagues/collaborating, nice presenting. I liked our skits, the video, and post-it notes activity.
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– Suzanne Howes, Third Grade Teacher, BCIS, Barnstable Public Schools, Hyannis, MA
Highest rating for workshop. Some things I appreciate are it is hands-on, engaging, and Lee Anna is kind.
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– Alyssa, First Grade Teacher, BCIS, Barnstable Public Schools, Hyannis, MA
Great activities, good collaborative groups, interactive.
– Patrice Michael, K-3 ESL Teacher, BCIS, Barnstable Public Schools, Hyannis, MA
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– I learned inquiry lessons, project-based lessons and units, integrating technology, scaffolding, formative and summative assessments.
– I loved it…Variety in presenting – videos, discussion, informational, organized.
– Thank you for offering this type of course.
– I learned how to use inquiry as a vehicle for instruction, increasing student engagement and motivation.
– It was so helpful to have the independent work time but with guidance.
– [I gained] the ability to create an inquiry unit, and plan it out so I could take it back and easily implement.
