From Vision to Action: Bringing Project Based Learning for All to Life

Every leader wants deeper learning for students—but turning that vision into reality takes more than inspiration. It takes culture, structure, and courage. In this informal Den Talk, Lisa Mireles—author of Project Based Learning for All: A Leader’s Guide—invites you to dig into what it really looks like to lead school and system-wide change. Hear stories of schools that are doing it, reflect on your own leadership journey, and join a candid discussion about what’s hard, what’s hopeful, and what’s next for making PBL accessible to every student. About the Den Speakers: Dr. Lisa Mireles is the Managing Director of Digital Curriculum and Special Advisor to the CEO at PBLWorks and the co-author of Project Based Learning for All: A Leader's Guide, published in December 2025 by ASCD/ISTE. A seasoned teacher, school principal, and district leader, she has a special interest in creating learner-centered ecosystems that amplify the powerful intersection of leadership, project based learning, and technology. She has taught and led in schools in California, Indonesia, India, and Hawai`i. Lisa was a founding Board Member for the Hawai`i Society of Technology in Education (HSTE) and co-founded the Kaua`i Educational Leadership Alliance (KELA). Lisa holds both a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree in Education from the University of California, Los Angeles. She earned her doctorate in Learning Technologies from Pepperdine University. Bob Lenz became CEO of PBLWorks in 2015, leading the organization’s mission to ensure high-quality Project Based Learning reaches all students. Before joining PBLWorks, he co-founded Envision Education and served as its CEO and Chief of Innovation, pioneering a successful school redesign model that expanded college access for underserved students. He also launched Envision Learning Partners, which supports schools and districts nationwide in building college and career readiness through performance assessment. A nationally recognized leader in deeper learning and high school redesign, Bob was a Senior Deeper Learning Fellow with the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and author of Transforming Schools: Using Project-Based Learning, Performance Assessment, and Common Core Standards. Earlier in his career, he founded Academy X, an award-winning humanities and leadership program. Bob lives and works in San Rafael, California.