One of the most common questions I get as an instructional coach is, “How do we build the culture for PBL?” This is certainly an open-ended question, and one that someone could write an entire book about. I think what many teachers are really asking is, “How do I start?” With the beginning of the new school year buzzing all over the country, what better time to talk about ways to get started?

I believe it starts with the way you bring yourself to the classroom and to your students – on day one, and every single day afterwards. I think it’s worth reflecting on what you’ve done in the past and how you might like to use some of the ideas below to bring more of yourself to the classroom, in intentional ways, in order to create the type of trusting relationships that will be needed to maximize the learning ahead.