The room buzzes with excitement and conversation as small groups of middle-schoolers engage in their latest work during PPOS’s Project-based Learning Advisor Rue Graham’s project block.
“Projects here are cool,” fifth-grader Tenzin said. “Right now we’re working together on creating wildfire safety brochures as a part of our ‘Mission to Mars’ project. In this project we’re learning about different environments and survival techniques on Earth and in Space. Our brochures will be shared around town for visitors to learn more about being safe in our area.”
This is Graham’s fifth year at Pagosa Peak Open School, where she not only creates and implements projects for students in grades 5-8, but also works with staff in grades K-4 on project design and implementation.
Last week, Graham was awarded the John Larmer Lifelong Learning Award from PBL Works, the organization that sets the standard for project-based learning across the nation. The award recognizes up to three educators nationwide who have shown to majorly impact students with their high quality project work.
“Receiving the John Larmer Lifelong Learning Award is such an honor,” she said. “It feels like a celebration of the work we’re doing together at Pagosa Peak Open School. Every day, I get to learn alongside students and colleagues who are curious, creative, and brave enough to tackle real-world challenges through project-based learning. This award is a reminder that when we trust kids, center their voices, and stay open to learning ourselves, amazing things can happen. I’m so grateful to be part of this journey.”
Through a project-based learning model, students dive deep into history, civics, physics, chemistry, ethics, biology and other content standards without leaning on textbooks.
“Project-based Learning is transforming classrooms, schools and districts across the country thanks to the commitment and dedication of passionate educators and administrators,” said PBLWorks CEO Bob Lenz in a press release about the award. “We created these awards programs to recognize these individuals, as well as the schools and districts, that have embraced PBL and are leading the way in implementing it with students.”
PPOS students explore broad, inquiry-based questions through real-world experiences in field work, a variety of reading opportunities, and interviews with experts. They then produce an end product that answers their initial question, positively impacts their community and/or communicates their new learning with an authentic audience for their content.
“Rue is really well-planned and finds great ways to tie tasks and assignments to standards while making learning fun,” said Graham’s colleague, middle school English Language Arts teacer Alison Beach. “The projects are engaging and multi-faceted. For example with her current project about Space, students are also exposed to content about our environment and community. It shows up seamlessly and works well: the projects are complex and fun.”
Students agree with Mrs. Beach.
“We get a lot of choice in our projects. For example, we can choose our groups for work or work independently. And there’s a lot of sharing what we learned at the end,” said sixth-grader Finlay.
“The projects here are awesome and Mrs. Rue is wise. She knows how to get us to learn right from her. She’s not a teacher that just puts us on computers,” said fifth-grader Jay White. “She expects us to learn from people and places. During our American Revolution project we had experts like the Sons of the Revolution come in and show us the tools they used and where they battled.”
Beyond her skills in curating projects, she is also a favorite among her students.
“Mrs. Rue helps me when I need it and is so kind,” said sixth-grader Skyla. “You can tell she actually likes being with her students and the class just loves her. “
Pagosa Peak Open School is a free, K-8 district charter school focused on implementing a project-based learning (PBL) curriculum in a Restorative Practices environment. To learn more about PPOS and to enroll your student for the 2025-26 school year, visit pagosapeakopenschool.org