Lisa Rockwell

Lisa Rockwell lives in Mariposa, California where she conducts educational tours about the history, ecology, and geology of Yosemite National Park. Until recently, she was a school principal in Virginia, bringing Project Based Learning to her school and, eventually, to her feeder pattern of schools.

An Art major at University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, she was self-employed as a fabric design artist until she returned to school at Virginia Commonwealth University, obtaining both a M.Ed. in Special Education and a Post-Master’s Certificate in Supervision and Administration. She taught in private and public schools for ten years, and spent eleven years in school administration, all with a Project Based Learning approach.

An Army Brat, Lisa was born in Japan, went to high school in Germany, and lived all over the United States, including five years in Yosemite.

Jason Feldman

Whether working as an elementary English teacher in Spain, outdoor educator in Australia, trip leader in South and Central America, dean of character and culture at a restorative justice high school in Brooklyn, teaching residents at Teachers College, Columbia University, or a high school special education teacher and coach in the New York City Department of Education; Jason has been inspired by the intersection of social/emotional learning and authentic, culturally relevant, project based learning - both in and out of the classroom.

Prior to joining PBLworks, Jason worked at The Urban Assembly Maker Academy (UA Maker) in downtown Manhattan, attracting a diverse body of students from all five NYC boroughs. While at UA Maker, Jason wore many hats - a feeling many educators know all too well. As a newly opened, public high school - focused on design thinking, project based learning, interdisciplinary career and technical education (CTE), blended learning, and standards-based grading - UA Maker provided numerous opportunities for Jason to learn and grow as an educator in inclusive, culturally relevant, project based classrooms.

By the end of his time at UA Maker, Jason had collaborated and co-taught in physics, geometry, algebra, earth science, living environment, and advisory classrooms. He also designed the school’s advisory curriculum for 9th and 10th grade, founded the Murry Bergtraum Educational Campus’ lacrosse program, mentored new teachers in science and special education, provided instructional coaching in a physics classroom, explored the intersection of culturally responsive education and standards based grading in STEM classrooms, and developed a citizen scientist summer program in collaboration with the Teaching Residency at Teachers College, Columbia University.

Jason comes to PBLworks with an array of project based, educational experiences. He is most passionate about students learning in authentic, real world projects, and is excited to collaborate with teachers along their own project based teaching and learning pathways. He truly believes that by implementing authentic, Gold Standard PBL for ALL students, we, as educators, will foster an empowered, educated, and equity-driven generation of leaders, problem-solvers, and change-makers.

Eric White

Eric White is a passionate educator who, above all else, is devoted to student and teacher empowerment. Eric currently provides professional development and coaching for school districts on a full-time basis. He previously served as a PBL Instructional Coach and Lead Teacher of Project Based Learning at the secondary level. Eric has deep experience with PBL in alternative settings and career academies. He has been instrumental in the establishment of multiple school-within-a-school PBL programs.

Eric has presented at many state and national conferences on PBL, design thinking, and technology integration. Eric regularly writes on PBL topics and was highlighted for his work with PBL in Edutopia’s Schools That Work series in 2011.

Eric earned his B.S. and M.Ed. in Secondary Social Sciences from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Kristy Lathrop

Kristy grew up as a self described Army brat. After years of living in a variety of cultures and geographic locations, she realized that her heart belongs to the mountains of Colorado. Her teaching career began in Leadville, Colorado, in a small school district at an elevation over 10,000 feet. There, she had an opportunity to develop teaching practices that engage a diverse group of students. After a few years of teaching, she developed a belief that the classroom should transcend physical walls and be rich with opportunities for students to apply their learning to real-life situations, thus developing competencies for success in life beyond school. It was that realization that led her to implement Project Based Learning in her classes. Most recently, Kristy was an 8th grade science teacher and department chair at an International Baccalaureate middle school in the Douglas County School District, the third largest district in Colorado.

Her teaching experience coupled with her passion for sustainable learning, has enabled Kristy to develop and facilitate high-quality professional development. Her areas of expertise include Science, STEM, educational technology, instructional coaching, and project based learning. She was a lead contributor in the development of the PBL Coaching Workshop for PBLWorks.

Kristy is an award-winning teacher who earned her B.S. in Secondary Education from Kansas State University. She holds a Colorado Secondary (7-12) Science teaching certificate.

Myla Lee

With nearly 30 years in education, Myla Lee serves as a consultant for literacy, technology integration, and project-based learning. Much of the learning she shares with others at state and national conferences focuses on various topics first field-tested in her classroom and explores inquiry in an authentic classroom culture.

Currently, Myla is an instructional coach for Novi Community School District (Michigan), where she facilitates professional learning districtwide and provides job-embedded professional learning to individuals and teams of teachers. Previously, Myla was the Project-based Learning Specialist with Technology Integration for her district. With her 23 years of classroom experience, she worked with administrators, teachers, and students to implement integrated PBL units grounded in technology and current best practice.

As a teacher/researcher, and in collaboration with university educators, Myla has researched, presented, and co-published on multicultural reading and literacy practices. In addition, Myla values the importance of developing engaging and relevant curriculum and has likewise created professional learning experiences for adult learners. Her passion for a student-centered classroom steeped in a culture of thinking and collaboration motivates her to always be curious.