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RE@LCast™ Listen On STEM and PBL: Dr. Maggie McHugh : “It’s a beautiful point when students realize their big dreams are going to take more time….”

by | Jul 9, 2022 | RE@L StudentCorner | 0 comments

At RE@L, we are amped up about everything that is STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. And so it’s fitting that our RE@LGuest for this episode of RE@LCast™ is Dr. Maggie McHugh.

Maggie is one of those outstanding, ‘all in for kids’ educators. And she shows it every day. Her enthusiasm about education and her students is second-to-none. Her instructional energy fills the classroom. And her compassionate focus on the well-being of her students creates an engaging classroom environment, one that is challenging, uplifting, and constructed around authentic, meaningful projects. Her vulnerability on full display for her students, she sees herself as a ‘Lead Learner’ who helps students discover new processes and ways of learning. 

This experienced teacher not only shows her commitment to the students in her classroom, she is a shining star within the profession. A certified mathematics teacher, Maggie is a National Certified Board Teacher and a Wisconsin Middle School Teacher Of The Year! When it comes to integration of STEM into a lively and meaningful problem to be solved, she is a national frontrunner. Yes, the marriage of STEM with Project Based Learning (PBL) seems like an obvious connection. But only some have the insights and wherewithal to make it happen as Dr. Maggie McHugh does. Her book, focusing on Project-Based Learning from a mathematics perspective, is scheduled for release in spring of 2023.

It was both an honor and privilege to connect with Maggie for this conversation. Of course, the Blogmeister was full of questions about STEM and PBL from both the teacher and student perspectives. And, of course, the RE@LCast™ finishes with Maggie’s teaser about the book she is writing. RE@lInsights from RE@LPractitioners. RE@LCast™. Click below to listen. 

READ the Transcript Here

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Randy Nelson

Author

Randy Nelson is a retired educator of 38 years. He served students as a high school speech, theater, and English teacher. He served colleagues as a director of curriculum and instruction; and, most recently he served the La Crosse, WI school district as its superintendent of schools. He has a strong leadership track record promoting choice and innovation via unique community partnerships. He currently serves RE@L, inc as its Director of Education.