RocketPD Instructor

Dr. John Spencer

Q: Does PBL work for all students, including ELL and Special Education students?

Yes — and this is one of John's core arguments. His PBL frameworks are specifically designed to be accessible to every learner, including English Language Learners and students with disabilities, without sacrificing rigor or real-world relevance.

Q: Where should I start if I am new to John's work?

Start with the LaunchPad course for a self-paced introduction to PBL by Design, then join a live-virtual cohort if your team wants a structured, facilitated implementation experience.

Q: Can RocketPD customize John Spencer's learning for our district?

Yes. The RocketPD team can help map John's PBL frameworks to your district's instructional priorities, curriculum map, and professional learning calendar. Contact us to start the conversation.

Using Project-Based Learning to spark creativity, ownership, and real-world thinking in every K-12 classroom.

Instructional Design Project-Based Learning Student Engagement

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Follow John

Author, Professor & PBL Innovator

5+ Books Published

White House Speaker

Co-Author LAUNCH & Empowered

Why educators learn from John

Dr. John Spencer is a former middle school teacher and current college professor who is passionate about seeing students reach their creative potential. In 2013, he spoke at the White House, sharing a vision for how to empower students to be future-ready through creativity and deeper learning.

He is the author of the bestselling books Launch, Empower, Vintage Innovation, and The A.I. Roadmap. His work helps teachers implement Project-Based Learning in a way that works for all students — including ELL and Special Education students — by providing a clear blueprint that fits within real-world constraints like time, standards, and curriculum maps.

WORK FOCUSES ON

Designing PBL that works within standards and curriculum maps
Sparking student creativity and a maker mindset
Making PBL accessible for ELL and Special Education students
Using design thinking to foster creative problem-solving
Building student ownership of learning from day one
Integrating AI thoughtfully into deeper learning experiences

Featured Resources

Explore resources related to John's work.

Ultimate Guide to Project-Based Learning

Helps educators increase student engagement and deeper learning by shifting from traditional assignments to authentic, real-world projects—providing classroom-tested strategies to design meaningful work, incorporate student voice, and structure project-based learning...

Episode 12: Voice & Choice: Using PBL to Help Kids Own Their Learning (w/John Spencer)

John Spencer joins Corey Murray to explore project-based learning as a way to give students more voice, choice, and meaningful work.

Give teachers & staff ‘voice & choice’ over professional learning

In an era where 90 percent of K-12 school teachers report burnout and open positions routinely go unfilled, keeping your best staff engaged and locked in at work is paramount....

Go Deeper

Work with John through RocketPD.

Explore professional learning with RocketPD.

Self-Paced Course

Using PBL to Spark Real-World Learning

$49

Project-Based Learning

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Live-Virtual Cohort

PBL by Design: Empowering Student Engagement & Real-World Learning

Dates not announced
Instructional design

View Cohort

John makes PBL feel possible. We came away with a real framework, not just inspiration.

Dave Baugh Superintendent, Aspen School District, CO

Trusted by school leaders

Used in 850+ districts across 47 states.

Educators nationwide use RocketPD to access practical, expert-led professional learning they can apply in schools and districts.

12K+ Educators trained

88% Recommend rate

4.8 Avg. cohort rating

FAQ

Common questions about learning from Dr. John Spencer.

Find answers about learning from Dr. John Spencer and choosing the right next step for your team.

Need help deciding? Talk with the RocketPD team.

Who is Dr. John Spencer best suited for?

John's work is ideal for classroom teachers, instructional coaches, and curriculum leaders who want to move beyond surface-level projects and implement PBL in a way that is standards-aligned, accessible to all learners, and sustainable in real classrooms.

Does PBL work for all students, including ELL and Special Education students?

Where should I start if I am new to John's work?

Can RocketPD customize John Spencer's learning for our district?

Bring John's work to your district.

Talk with RocketPD about professional learning for your school or district.