Meet Mrs. Thomas (Bethany Thomas), a computer science and robotics teacher at Purpose Built Schools in Atlanta, Georgia, who participated in PBL World last summer. We recently had the opportunity to chat with Bethany about her highlights from PBL World, an experience that has fueled her passion for equipping students with future-ready skills and her enthusiasm for returning to PBL World in the future.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your journey as an educator.
My name is Bethany Thomas, and I teach middle school and high school computer science and robotics at Purpose Built Schools in Atlanta. I've been teaching for about 20 years, starting my career in special education.
My goal has always been to equip students with skills that set them up for success beyond school. One way I do this is by ensuring eighth graders earn high school credits, enabling them to explore advanced STEM options as they progress.
A pivotal moment in my journey was realizing that my students lacked access to the STEM opportunities my own children enjoyed—and that disparity deeply bothered me. Determined to make a change, I started running after-school clubs focused on robotics and computer science. Over time, those clubs blossomed into a robust program at our school. When our school joined Purpose Built Schools, I transitioned fully into teaching STEM, earning certifications to better serve my students and ignite their passion for technology and innovation.
Describe your school and the students you serve.
I teach in downtown Atlanta, a vibrant community where schools face unique challenges and incredible opportunities for growth. Our students are extraordinarily talented but have at times been overlooked. This motivates me to ensure they have access to the opportunities they deserve.
Purpose Built Schools manages a network of neighborhood schools in underserved communities, and what makes them special is how they blend the best practices of traditional public schools with innovative approaches to student learning and support. Their mission is all about providing a high-quality education that empowers students, engages families, and transforms communities.
What's your PBL story?
My journey with PBL began a few years ago when I completed the PBL 101 workshop. My school and district emphasized the importance of Project Based Learning, inspired by the innovative work of schools like Drew Charter. Their approach aligned closely with our vision.
When I first heard about PBL, my curiosity was sparked. I wanted to deepen my understanding and apply it effectively. As an educator, my goal has always been to grow and provide the best possible experience for my students. If PBL was a priority for my school and district, it became a priority for me too.
What workshop did you take part in? How has PBL World changed your teaching practice and students' learning experiences?
This year, I participated in the PBL Coaching workshop. My goal was to support my colleagues better and foster a culture of fidelity in implementing PBL. The coaching framework provided a clear structure and tools to assist my team.
For instance, a new teacher was struggling with a project. I sat with him, mapped everything into the PBL planner, and showed him that he was further along than he had thought. That coaching perspective, rooted in my PBL World training, transformed his work into something he could showcase with pride.
A few weeks ago, I presented at the Georgia Educational Technology Conference on Empowering Future Innovators: Creating Quality Project Based Learning in the Computer Science Class. Participants created a PBL Tech Toolbox tailored to their needs, blending computer science and PBL strategies.
You've been doing PBL for a while now. What changes have you observed in your students? How has PBL impacted their mindsets, success skills, and overall learner experience?
I’ve seen my students grow into independent, confident, and empowered learners. They take ownership of their learning and engage fearlessly with real-world problems.
Recently, we worked on a project about the Atlanta BeltLine. The north side is beautifully developed, but the south side, where our school is, remains a dirt road. My students recognized this disparity and decided to act. They reached out to the BeltLine team, presented their ideas at City Hall, and asked thoughtful questions about how they could contribute to improving their community.
This project showed me how capable my students are. They demonstrated critical thinking, gathered feedback, and created actionable plans—all on their own. PBL has taught them to access and apply knowledge while building the confidence to engage with authority figures and advocate for meaningful change.
PBL empowers students. They realize I’m not the sole holder of knowledge; they can access information, use resources effectively, and create something meaningful. In life, you’re allowed to look things up and collaborate to solve problems—and that’s exactly the mindset I want for them.
The MOST memorable aspect of your PBL World experience was...
There were so many memorable moments, but two stand out. The first was witnessing a community of teachers from Hawaii perform a ritual on the opening morning. Their serene and soulful singing (known as oli—traditional Hawaiian chants) was a deeply moving experience and such a beautiful way to start the day.
The second was the student panel. Hearing students articulate how PBL shaped their learning and prepared them for the future reaffirmed why I do this work. Their stories inspired me to continue creating authentic learning experiences for my students.
You can watch the 2024 Student Panel Keynote here:
PBL World 2025: Join us at American Canyon High School in Napa Valley from June 23-26, 2025, to begin or continue your PBL journey with four days of transformative professional development. For more information, visit https://www.pblworks.org/pbl-world.
✉️ If you attended PBL World and it has impacted your teaching in transformative ways, reach out to Natalie at [email protected]. Your experience might be someone else's valuable inspiration. Join us in sharing the transformative power of PBL on teaching and learning—we can't wait to hear about your PBL journey!