Man with a brain and a toolbox behind him

Embrace Your Maker Mindset

Helping K-12 teachers unleash the power of creativity through project-based learning & design thinking

Hi, I'm John.
This is my promise to you.

As a former middle school teacher and current full-time professor and best-selling author, I’m a big believer in empowering students (and teachers) through the power of creativity. Whether you sign up for one of my online courses, enroll in one of my cohorts or invite me to spend time with your staff, I promise you’ll walk away with a fresh perspective and new ideas to transform your classroom.

How I Can Help

3 ways to reignite your passion for teaching & improve student outcomes

Take a self-paced course

My asynchronous courses were designed to give you practical ideas for the classroom — and work with your schedule. Start with a free option. Then take a deeper dive with premium content.

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Join an open cohort

Collaborate with your peers! Join one of my virtual cohorts and I’ll lead you and a small group of like-minded educators through a hands-on training experience, unlike anything you’ve experienced.

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Bring me in for a visit

Have a large group? Consider bringing me in (online or in-person) for a full day of design-thinking and PBL. We’ll work through problems of practice and set your team up for success.

Students Learn Differently Now

Try my project-based approach and experience the difference creativity makes

“As we continue our journey to provided quality learning opportunities to our students, Johnʻs work will be an important resource. We highly encourage other schools to offer Johnʻs resources to their teachers.”

JoAnn Wong-Kam, Managing Director of Ho'olaukoa

Kamehameha Schools, Honolulu, HI

“Dr. Spencer inspired my teachers to get back to creating classrooms full of “creativity and wonder”. I now hear conversations among teachers as to how to “launch” a PBL project in their class, how they are incorporating empathy into projects, and how service learning is changing their students mindsets. “

Lauren Crabtree, Principal

Douglas County Schools, Douglasville, GA

“John brought a great deal of energy and a fun sense of humor to his workshop that created a fun learning atmosphere for our faculty in a stressful time. I highly recommend John’s workshop and hope he can come back to CFS in the future!”

Eric Fulmer, Dean of Faculty

Church Farm School, Exton, PA

Let’s Learn Together

Working with me is easy. Start by filling out this short form.











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    Keep Reading

    Check out the latest from my blog

    Creativity
    March 13, 2024

    What Are the Bay Leaves of Education?

    A few years ago, I met a chef and asked him, "So, bay leaves? Do they even have a point? You can't taste them. You have to take them out. They seem to get in the way." He shook his head and said, "Nah, it's…
    CreativityPodcast
    February 19, 2024

    Deliberate Practice or Deliberate Play?

    Deliberate practice and deliberate skill are two different approaches to developing skills. One is more structured and the other is more connective. One is more targeted and efficient while other other is more connective and holistic. While it's easy to view these as opposing approaches,…
    Project-Based Learning
    February 13, 2024

    How to Guide Students in Self-Reflection During a Project

    I still remember the moment. I was in my second year of doing project-based learning when a student sighed and asked, "Why do we need to stop?" "What do you mean?" I asked. "The learning. The project. Everything. Why do we need stop everything and…