NTN Unpacked
New Tech Network (NTN) is a national nonprofit dedicated to systemic change in education. We center K-12 schools as the units of change, working closely with district leaders, school principals, and classroom educators, to co-design an approach to change that is specific to their context. This podcast will lift up the first hand stories and experiences schools have had while engaging with the work of NTN as well as provide listeners with the opportunity to learn more about NTN.
Episodes
In this special episode of NTN Unpacked, host Mark returns from a brief hiatus alongside Shannon Doody from NTN’s Growth and District Success team to share a powerful, big-picture conversation about systemic change. We are stepping out of our traditional interview format to bring you an exclusive look into a recent state-wide webinar discussing the ambitious "New York Inspires" initiative and the rollout of their new Port...
In this episode of NTN Unpacked, we sit down with Rebecca Mapes and Melanie Mason, English facilitators and senior capstone leaders at Eagle Tech Academy. They share how their Senior Capstone (or Senior Impact) course empowers students to design passion-driven projects that connect deeply with their local community. NTN School Development coach Jose Garcia also joins host Mark Stolan for Coaches Corner and learn how he’s supporting...
In this classroom-deep-dive episode of NTN Unpacked, host Mark Stolan reconnects with Jackie Blightman and My Lam, the dynamic math teaching duo from Quimby Oak Middle School’s Lobo School of Innovation (LSI). Together, they pull back the curtain on what it’s really like to run a high-functioning Problem-Based Learning (PrBL) math program - one that balances rigorous skill mastery with authentic student engagement. LSI’s longtime c...
In this international episode of NTN Unpacked, we sit down with Brad Scanlon, Director of New Tech Network Australia, to explore what happens when student-centered learning takes root halfway around the world. Recorded live at NTAC 2025 in Oakland, CA, co-host Kris Williams leads us through a thoughtful and inspiring conversation about how NTN’s model has evolved - and been adapted - for schools across Australia.
Brad shares the sto...
In this special live episode of NTN Unpacked, we take you straight to the floor of NTAC 2025 in Oakland, CA! Host Mark Stolan brings together a chorus of voices from across the New Tech Network to share what’s resonating, what’s shifting, and what’s next for educators deeply engaged in project-based learning.
From first-year teachers to veteran leaders - and even a surprise visit from NTN CEO Jim May - you’ll hear reflections on com...
In this powerful episode of NTN Unpacked, we head to Houston, Texas, to hear the story of Mead Middle School’s first year partnering with New Tech Network. Principal Jose Lara, Assistant Principal Danielle Johnson, and Director of Transformation Silvia Schiermann join host Mark Stolan and co-host Vincent Manor to reflect on what it takes to launch project-based learning (PBL) in a large, urban middle school - and why it’s worth it.
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What does it take to bring deeper learning to scale across an entire district? In this episode of NTN Unpacked, School Development Coaches Missy Saldana and Val Grijalva take us inside a district-wide transformation at Hardin County Schools in Kentucky, where 10 middle and high schools partnered with New Tech Network to reshape teaching and learning.
You’ll hear from district and school leaders—including Brandy New (Director of Inno...
In this dynamic episode of NTN Unpacked, host Mark Stolan and School Development Coach Aubrey Thompson sit down with Danae Boyd and Janelle Bence from New Tech High @ Coppell (NTH@C) to explore Slamming for a Cause—a powerful legacy project where 9th grade learners turn research on global human rights issues into original slam poetry, raising awareness and funds for local organizations.
This interdisciplinary project blends English ...
In this episode of NTN Unpacked, we head to Handy Middle School in Bay City, Michigan, where PBL Instructional Coach Rebekah Deal and 7th grade science teacher Valerie Steele share what it looks like to support and grow a schoolwide project-based learning culture—together.
Hosted by Mark Stolan, this episode dives deep into the evolving role of instructional coaching, the power of teacher–coach relationships, and how teams at Handy ...
In this energizing episode of NTN Unpacked, returning co-host and NTN School Development Coach Val Grijalva sits down with veteran educator Laura Pacheco of Young Women’s STEAM Academy in El Paso, Texas, to explore how project-based learning (PBL) can transform physical education into a deeply inclusive, collaborative, and meaningful experience.
With over a decade of teaching experience and seven years of PBL implementation under he...
In this thought-provoking episode of NTN Unpacked, we dive into the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence (AI) in education with veteran educator Jason Currie-Olson from Washington High School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Joined by hosts Mark Stolan and Missy Saldana, Jason shares how he’s actively exploring AI tools to enhance instruction, empower students, and rethink assessment in meaningful ways.
Whether you’re AI-c...
In this inspiring episode of NTN Unpacked, our very own School Development Coach Val Grijalva sits down with Ashley Perales and Henley Price, two pre-K teachers from Gale Pond Alamo Elementary School in Odessa, Texas, who boldly embraced project-based learning (PBL) for the first time this year. As the first educators in their district to implement PBL at the pre-K level, Ashley and Henley share a candid and uplifting look into wha...
Welcome to the debut episode of NTN Unpacked, the podcast where we bring you the authentic stories of transformation from across the New Tech Network. Hosted by Mark Stolan, this first episode features a special interview led by NTN School Development Coach Missy Saldana with educators from Nex+Gen Academy in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
You’ll hear from teachers Jeff Sisneros, Marila Mancha-Garcia, and Alison Floyd as they unpack Food ...
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