HLS Celebrates Kim Mishkin, Winner of the PBL World Individual Champion Award

We are thrilled to share some exciting news with our Hudson Lab School community: our very own Head of School, Kim Mishkin, has been named the PBL World Individual Champion by PBLWorks! This prestigious honor places Kim among the top innovators in education, joining the ranks of trailblazers like George Lucas, who was named PBL Champion of the Decade in 2021.

This award recognizes educators who create deep, lasting learning experiences—those that spark passion, purpose, and personal connection in students. We could not be more proud that Kim has been recognized on a global stage for embodying exactly what Hudson Lab School stands for.

A Champion for Project-Based Learning

Since our founding in 2017, we’ve championed robust, experiential, student-driven learning. From designing community spaces for nursing home residents at Andrus on Hudson, to developing curriculum for the Greenburgh Nature Center, to producing documentaries on grit and resilience—our students’ projects go beyond the classroom to create real impact.

Under Kim’s leadership, our school has flourished as a hub for authentic, hands-on learning where students wrestle with big questions, tackle complex challenges, and discover their own voices. As Kim often says:

“At Hudson Lab School, project-based learning isn’t just a teaching strategy—it’s our way of life. We immerse students in meaningful, challenging work that inspires them to embrace rigorous academics and collaborate to solve real-world problems. Our students know their voices count. They ask big questions. They wrestle with complexity. And they come out the other side not only with knowledge, but with purpose.”

A Lifelong Educator and Advocate

With over 30 years of experience in education, Kim has guided students and teachers across the country in both public and independent schools. Her career spans K–12 leadership, including her time as Assistant Head of Lower School at The Spence School in Manhattan. She also co-founded SAS for Women, an organization supporting women through life transitions. Since discovering project-based learning in 2017, Kim has become a bold and inspiring voice for reimagining education around purpose, process, and possibility.

We Salute You, Kim!

This award is not just a recognition of Kim’s incredible career—it’s a reflection of the heart and spirit of the Hudson Lab School community. Together, we have built a school where curiosity leads the way, where learning is active and joyful, and where students are preparing to thrive in an ever-changing world.

Kim, we are so proud of you. Thank you for inspiring all of us—students, families, and educators alike—to imagine what’s possible when learning is driven by passion and purpose.