In this episode of Class-Act Coaching, Ashley is joined by Marty Sugerik, an instructional coach with a passion for project-based learning (PBL). Marty shares practical coaching strategies to help teachers design or refine classroom projects that connect to real-world skills.

Whether you’re a coach supporting teachers in PBL or an educator looking to strengthen your own projects, this conversation is packed with hands-on strategies for making learning more engaging and meaningful.

Key Topics Covered

• How instructional coaches can help teachers start or refine a PBL unit
• The importance of authenticity—connecting projects to real-world work
• Scaffolding student success within project-based learning
• Coaching strategies for helping teachers overcome common PBL challenges
• The role of feedback and reflection in making projects better over time

Resources Mentioned

• SREB’s Powerful Project-Based Learning Instructional Practices

Don’t Miss

• Marty’s advice on balancing structure and student choice in project design
• Real-life coaching stories about helping teachers bring PBL to life
• A step-by-step coaching framework for guiding teachers through project creation

Homework Challenge

If you’re a teacher, take a current unit and brainstorm how it could be turned into a project with a real-world connection. If you’re a coach, work with a teacher this week to refine a project idea!

You can find this episode on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music or wherever you listen to your podcasts.