Mike Koehler

[Tara Koehler @TKtalksSTEAM]

PBL is all about heart.

When students know their work will help, support, or bring joy to someone else, the learning becomes deeper, more meaningful, and more memorable.

This year marks our 5th year partnering with MidHudson Regional Hospital, creating opportunities for students to use their learning to make a difference for others. From digital resources to hands-on creations, every project begins with a simple idea: empathy… who are our users?

There’s something powerful about making something for someone. ❤️
@SammonSTEAM @drbonkwcsd @WCSDEmpowers

#PBL #AuthenticLearning #MakingSomethingForSomeone #PurposeDrivenLearning #CommunityPartnerships #MHRH #WCSDEmpowers

[Tara Koehler @TKtalksSTEAM]

Authenticity changes everything.

Students work differently when:
• The audience is real
• The stakes are real
• The problem is real

Authenticity is not a PBL add-on.
It’s a design principle.

Today, our 4th and 6th grade students presented their learning experiences and final products to Central Hudson and WCSD personnel. Students taught adults about the role energy concepts play in a utility company and how those ideas connect to the real world.

This wasn’t students completing an assignment.

This was students using their voices, their thinking, and their learning to contribute something meaningful.
@SammonSTEAM @WCSDEmpowers @drbonkwcsd @CentralHudson @j_sammon

[Tara Koehler @TKtalksSTEAM]

Writing together taught us something important.

Collaboration is messy.

It requires:
• Trust
• Honest feedback
• Revisions
• Ego management

Exactly the same skills we ask of students during PBL collaboration.

That’s why we share our own collaboration stories with students too — the disagreements, revisions, feedback, and problem-solving that happen behind the scenes while creating real work together.

Students need to see that productive collaboration isn’t perfect. It’s a process.

Join us May 15th at Sloop Brewing Co. as we continue the conversation around PBL-AI, collaboration, and designing meaningful learning experiences for students.
#PBLtapas #Beyondthealgorithm #PBLAI
@SammonSTEAM @steammachinepd @WCSDEmpowers

[Tara Koehler @TKtalksSTEAM]

⏰📚 ONE WEEK AWAY! 🍻

Our Book Signing Event is almost here!

Join us Friday, May 15th starting at 6pm for an evening of conversation around PBL, AI, innovation in education, and the future of learning.

✅ Get your books now on Amazon
The Tapas Approach: https://t.co/CNo8iRboAe
Beyond the Algorithm: https://t.co/bPf57WldUA
✅ Limited copies will also be available the day of the event

Special thanks to Sloop Brewing Co. for hosting and offering:
🍺 $5 beers
🍴 Discounted appetizers

Don’t wait — we’d love to see you there!
@SammonSTEAM @steammachinepd @j_sammon @sloopbrewing

#PBL #AIinEducation #BookSigning #ProjectBasedLearning #BeyondTheAlgorithm #EdTech #TeacherCommunity #FutureReadyLearning

[Tara Koehler @TKtalksSTEAM]

To the educators shaping what’s next—this week is for you. 🍎

As part of Teacher Appreciation Week, we’re celebrating the impact teachers have every single day.

We wrote these books to support you in:
• Designing meaningful PBL
• Using AI with intention
• Preparing students for a changing world

📚 Let’s celebrate together.

Join us for a book signing + meet & greet
💥 Flash Sale: $19.99

📅 Friday, May 15 | 6–8ish
📍 Sloop Brewery, East Fishkill

👉 Tap “Interested” on the event + tag a teacher who deserves recognition

@SammonSTEAM @WCSDEmpowers @jmattmiller

https://t.co/oUbFFOv7d4

#ThankATeacher #TeacherAppreciation #FutureReady #PBL

[Tara Koehler @TKtalksSTEAM]

Portrait of a Graduate means nothing without instructional alignment.

Schools love to articulate future-ready competencies.

Communication. Collaboration. Critical thinking. Creativity.

But if classroom experiences don’t intentionally cultivate those skills…

They remain aspirational branding.

PBL bridges the gap between vision and daily practice.

Check out @PlainsPanthers 3rd graders teaming up as they co-author digital books about weather and climate for @WMCHealth pediatric patients. Students learn how to ethically collaborate with AI in the process. This is future ready competencies in action!
@SammonSTEAM @WCSDEmpowers @steammachinepd #PBLtapas #beyondthealgorithm #portraitofagraduate #PBAI #edtech

[Tara Koehler @TKtalksSTEAM]

From The Tapas Approach to Project-Based Learning to Beyond the Algorithm: Reimagining STEAM and Project-Based Learning for a Human-Centered Future, this journey has been years in the making—filled with ideas, revisions, late nights, and a whole lot of passion for what learning can be.

But behind every page written, there were people holding it all together at home. ❤️

A huge thank you to our spouses for their endless support, patience, and encouragement through it all. The long nights, the constant brainstorming, the “just one more revision”… we couldn’t have done this without you.

Grateful doesn’t even begin to cover it.

Here’s to celebrating this moment—and the people who made it possible. @SammonSTEAM @j_sammon @CoachMKoehler @steammachinepd

#PBL #STEAM #AIinEducation #Gratitude #BehindTheScenes #BookLaunch

[Tara Koehler @TKtalksSTEAM]

✨ It’s here… ✨
Beyond the Algorithm: Reimagining STEAM and Project-Based Learning for a Human-Centered Future is officially out! 🚀

At its core, this work is about PBL with AI—using technology to deepen thinking, expand access, and keep humans at the center of learning. 🤝

So much gratitude…
💛 Family & friends for the constant support
💛 Colleagues & educators who inspire this work daily
💛 Students & community partners—you are the WHY
💛 And to Matt Miller for an incredible foreword

This is just the beginning. Let’s keep pushing beyond the algorithm… together. @SammonSTEAM @WCSDEmpowers @jmattmiller @DitchThatTxtbk

#BeyondTheAlgorithm #PBLwithAI #STEAM #HumanCenteredLearning #EdLeadership #FutureOfLearning

https://t.co/Fa0r36wBJD

[Mike Koehler @CoachMKoehler]

Tough loss to end the season against a very good Red Hook team. The abuses were led by Michael Koehler with 26 points including his 1000th, Danny Scalo 8 points and Mikey Grant 6pts. Highland finishes the season 14-7. @HighlandCSD @FreemanSports @PJSports @Varsity845

[Mike Koehler @CoachMKoehler]

Great team win this afternoon in the first round of sectionals for the Highland Boys over Port Jervis 71-53! The Huskies were led by Michael Koehler 19 pts, Danny Scalo 16 pts, Pat Salinovich 14 pts, and Mikey Grant 12 pts, 8 reb, 4 ast. @FreemanSports @PJSports @Varsity845

[Mike Koehler @CoachMKoehler]

Great win tonight for Highland 55-52 over Oniel. The huskies were led by Michael Koehler 23 pts (15 in the 4th) , Ben Cappillino 12 pts, and Mikey Grant with 9 rebounds. We are 13-6. We play home vs. Port Jervis Saturday at 2pm, in sections. @FreemanSports @PJSports @Varsity845

[Mike Koehler @CoachMKoehler]

Great win tonight for Highland over FDR 71-68! The Huskies were led by Danny Scalo 27 pts, Michale Koehler 23 pts, Ben Cappillino 10 pts and Pat Salinovich 9 pts. We are now 12-6! @HighlandCSD @Varsity845 @FreemanSports @PJSports

[Mike Koehler @CoachMKoehler]

Congratulations to Danny Scalo on being named to the MHAL National Conference All Star team! And Congratulations on Michael Koehler Jr. Being named conference MVP! @HighlandCSD @Varsity845 @FreemanSports @PJSports

[Mike Koehler @CoachMKoehler]

Great Senior nightfor the Highalnd over Millbrook 68-30. The Huskies were led by seniors Michael Koehler 25 pts 6 reb, Mikey Grant 8 pts 11 reb, Nick Forzano 7 pts 5 reb, Tony Forzano 6 pts, 6 reb, 6 ast, JJ elliasant 6 pts, Sam Ellis 2 pts 5 reb. @Varsity845 @FreemanSports

[Mike Koehler @CoachMKoehler]

Another great win for the Highland Boys 68-41 over Rhinebeck. The Huskies were led by Michael Koehler 29 points, Danny Scalo 16 points and Pat Salinovich 7 points. @PJSports @FreemanSports @Varsity845 @HighlandCSD

[Mike Koehler @CoachMKoehler]

Great team win tonight for Highland over Pine Plains! The Huskies were led by Michael Koehler 25pts, Danny Scalo 13pts, Pat Salinovich 11 pts and Zack Hayward and Tomas almovodar 8pts each. We are 9-4. @Varsity845 @FreemanSports @PJSports @HighlandCSD

[Mike Koehler @CoachMKoehler]

Another great win tonight for Highland over Dover 68-44! The Huskies were led by Michael Koehler 24pts 10 reb, Danny Scalo 19 pts 6 ast and Ben Cappillino 8 pts 5 stl. We are now 8-4! @Varsity845 @FreemanSports @PJSports @HighlandCSD

[Mike Koehler @CoachMKoehler]

Great win tonight by Highland over Onteora 89-67! The Huskies were led by Michael Koehler 36 pts, Danny Scalo 16 pts, Ben Cappillino 13 pts, Pat Salinovich 11 pts, And Nick Forzano with 7. We have Clinched a sectional spot and are now 7-4! @PJSports @Varsity845 @FreemanSports

[Mike Koehler @CoachMKoehler]

Great team win tonight for Highland at Ellenville 56-45! The Huskies were led by Michael Koehler with 29, Danny Scalo 12 pts and great team D led by Nick Forzano and Mikey Grant. We are 6-3. @HighlandCSD @Varsity845 @FreemanSports @PJSports

[Mike Koehler @CoachMKoehler]

Great win tonight for highland 75-53 over rondout. The Huskies we led by Michael Koehler 32 points, Ban Cappillino 13 points , Nick Forzano 12 pts, 6 reb, 6 stl, and Mikey Grant 12 reb. We are 5-3. @HighlandCSD @Varsity845 @FreemanSports @PJSports