Dr. Matthew Riggan is a Co-Founder of the Workshop School, a project-based high school within the
School District of Philadelphia. As Executive Director of the school's nonprofit arm, Matt directs research
and development, designs and develops systems to support the school's instructional model, and
advocates locally and nationally for schools bringing project-based learning and authentic
assessment to high-need communities. Matt is also a co-founder of the Philadelphia Learning
Collaborative, which seeks to create or improve the conditions for student-centered, deeper learning to
thrive in district, charter and independent schools throughout the Philadelphia region. Prior to
launching the Workshop, Matt was a Senior Researcher at the Consortium for Policy Research in
Education at the University of Pennsylvania. He remains at Penn as an Adjunct Assistant Professor.
 

Simon Hauger is also a Co-Founder of the Workshop School where he served as principal for 8 years.
Simon developed a passion for experiential, problem-based learning early in his career. He started the
West Philly Hybrid X Team where his students designed and built award winning hybrid and electric
powered vehicles. In 2010 and again 2014, Simon and his students were honored by President Obama at
the White House. The Workshop School continues to be a powerful example of what students and
adults are capable of when they are trusted, challenged and equipped to do meaningful work as the
basis for the learning experience. Simon continues to support the Workshop School as he and Matt take
this model of education into the postsecondary world.