Ester's example in innovative teaching is wonderful. Project based learning is one of the key pillars of secondary education in the 21st century, and she's been doing it for a while!

The question is, what causes Palo Alto to have so darn few of these types of innovative teachers? (I don't think this fact is even worth debating.)

Is it that teachers are culturally conservative? Or is there something about our 'system' in the school district that inhibits innovation like this? Too many layers of approval needed before a new idea-program-initiative can be implemented? Parents who want the traditional curriculum and don't want 'new'?

This is worth looking into by the school board.

@Barron Park dad, I agree with you and wish there were more like her, including myself. My gut response is that she doesn't have to worry about 1.) standardized test scores being scrutinized and 2.) state or Common Core standards to meet. Just a thought, not looking for a fight and not whining. Love my job.

I wish the interviewer had asked Woj her role in the Verde Rape Culture articles. Did she act on student reports of sexual harrassment as a teacher? Investigate per title IX?

Or as a journalist and write stories as if from confidential a sources?

Were the facts she learned dealt with appropriately; or mined for journalistic gold?

Project-based learning has its place..it generates student interest, involves research and has some role in future jobs. However, the local science fairs can attest to the fact that those project-based projects that win top prizes are done by students who have a firm base in the fundamentals. The much-maligned "tiger moms" should be looked to to provide some advice about why their highly drilled kids do so well in the project-based classes/competitions.