In this episode, Ryan shares the honest, often-overlooked reasons school leaders struggle to launch Project Based Learning—even when everyone knows it works. Whether you’re wrestling with teacher buy-in, traditional systems, or shifting school culture, this episode breaks down the five biggest barriers and gives you practical ways to overcome them.

What We Cover

1. Wrong pitch, wrong audience

Most PBL rollouts fail at hello. Innovators, early adopters, and the early majority need different invitations. You can’t pitch the same way to everyone and expect momentum.

2. Traditional education inertia is real

We’ve operated in a traditional learning model for over a century. It’s comfortable, predictable, and familiar. PBL requires pushing a giant cultural boulder—but there is a way to move it.

3. Teachers are trained, but leaders aren’t ready

When instructional practices evolve but evaluation, systems, and PD don’t, teachers eventually retreat back to what’s safe. PBL collapses when leadership isn’t aligned and trained.

4. Leaders are trained, but teachers aren’t equipped

Top-down mandates always fail. Ryan explains how to build a “grassroots movement” where teachers ask for PBL—without forcing it.

5. They don’t know how awesome PBL really is

When educators visit authentic PBL schools, witness the culture shift, talk to students, and see the engagement—everything changes. Most resistance is lack of exposure.

Key Takeaways

• Buy-in isn’t about convincing—it’s about invitations.
  
  


• PBL fails when leadership, teachers, and systems aren’t aligned.
  
  


• Traditional learning inertia is strong, but it can be redirected.
  
  


• The best way to grow PBL isn’t mandates—it’s movement-building.
  
  


• When educators see PBL done well, they want in.
  
  

Real-World Examples Mentioned

• Building internal PBL systems in Missouri and Ohio
  
  


• Site visits to PBL model schools like Rise Elementary and Columbus, Indiana
  
  


• How schools see immediate improvements in:
  
  




• Engagement
  
  


• Attendance
  
  


• Discipline
  
  


• Test scores

Connect With Ryan:

ryan@magnifypbl.com