PBLMatters Team

Teresa Dempsey
tdempsey@fairfieldesc.org
Director, PBLMatters
PBLWorks National Faculty

Lindsey Blackburn
lblackburn@fairfieldesc.org
PBLMatters Facilitator
Social Media Specialist

Jill Simpson
Jill@PBLJill.com
PBLMatters Facilitator

Jenn Reid
jenn.reid@daytonstemschool.org
PBLMatters Facilitator

Mindy Farry
mfarry@fairfieldesc.org
PBLMatters Facilitator

Will Kirby
wkirby@fairfieldesc.org
PBLMatters Facilitator

Caitlin Wood
cwood@fairfieldesc.org
Gifted Intervention Specialist
Fairfield County ESC

Heidi Deyo
hdeyo@fairfieldesc.org
Technology Integration Specialist
Fairfield County ESC

Rob Engel
rengel@fairfieldesc.org
Technology & Communications Specialist
Registration Coordinator/Webmaster,
PBLWorks Ohio Institute

Project Based Learning (PBL) is an instructional strategy in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to a complex question, problem, or challenge. The Fairfield County Educational Service Center’s PBLMatters program works in conjunction with PBLWorks to provide comprehensive, high-quality PBL learning opportunities. PBLMatters was established in 2019 to provide fully-tiered support for teachers and organizations as they progress through the PBL process.

The PBLWorks 5th annual PBL Ohio Institute is the Midwest's premier Project Based Learning event of the year. Each year, we bring together over 500 PK-16 teachers, instructional coaches, and school and district leaders who want to connect with each other and learn more about PBL. It's not like other conferences that have a variety of short sessions by many different presenters—it's an institute, where participants go through a continuous multi-day experience. We believe PBL transforms students - and the PBL Ohio Institute transforms educators!