New Tech Network Announces Education Innovation Awards

New Tech Annual Conference 2017

New Tech Network (NTN) presented education innovation awards at its annual conference held in St. Louis, Missouri, July 6-10.  The awards recognized innovative and effective successes from the nearly 200 NTN schools in the U.S. and Australia.

The conference theme “Making it Relevant: Connecting School, Opportunity and Equity" enabled principals, teachers, and district leaders to plan for the coming academic year, share best practices, and network with fellow professionals.

Great public schools that re-imagine teaching and learning for all students rarely make the headlines. We take great pride in the phenomenal and inspiring work our school leaders and teachers do every day. New Tech Network schools create a culture of innovation and improvement that fosters deeper learning. The annual conference is a powerful national platform for our schools.

Lydia Dobyns, President and CEO, New Tech Network

The goal of the conference is to "provide a venue where educators from around the country learn together, brainstorm and plan new ways to design authentic learning experiences for all students," said Lydia Dobyns, President, and CEO of New Tech Network.

"People often associate project-based learning and the New Tech Network with improving student engagement in learning," said Dobyns.  "However, the New Tech school model serves as a powerful platform from which to address issues of educational equity in a school community."

The awards given at the conference were:

Best in Network Award to teachers Lindsey Risner, Lorien Goodwin and Courtney Young, teachers at Washington Discovery Academy, from Plymouth, Indiana, who were awarded Best in Network for their third-grade project submission "DARE TO DREAM IN COLOR."

Risner, Goodwin, and Young received the award for their project designed to develop a sense of agency (managing one's own learning), perseverance, excitement and failure as an opportunity for all students to experience while also learning academic content.

Susan Schilling Legacy Award to Donna Drago, Principal at Napa Junction Elementary School in American Canyon, California.

Created in 2009 to honor Susan Schilling, former New Technology Foundation CEO, and her contributions to the Network and the broader education field, the Susan Schilling Legacy Award recognizes entrepreneurs in education who demonstrate leadership and contribute to the innovation and sustainability of the Network of nearly 200 schools in 28 states and Australia.

Drago was the first elementary leader to ever receive the Schilling Award.  “Her dedication, ability to innovate, and the environment she has created to support student success and ensure that every student has the skills to succeed at college and career is inspiring,” said Dobyns.

New Tech Network partners with school districts to create and sustain innovative schools that prepare students for college and career.  

The New Tech school model is based on four design pillars:

·         Culture that Empowers: School-wide culture of empowerment for students and adults

·         Teaching that Engages: Project and problem-based approach to instruction

·         Technology that Enables: Use of technology for collaboration, access to information, and self-directed learning

·         Outcomes that Matter:  Student outcomes for college, career, and civic life readiness

“Great public schools that re-imagine teaching and learning for all students rarely make the headlines. We take great pride in the phenomenal and inspiring work our school leaders and teachers do every day. New Tech Network schools create a culture of innovation and improvement that fosters deeper learning. The annual conference is a powerful national platform for our schools,” said Dobyns.

ABOUT NEW TECH NETWORK

New Tech Network, a national non-profit organization, is a leading design partner for comprehensive school change. Districts and Charter organizations hire NTN to create innovative elementary, middle and high schools that are operated by the districts or CMO staff. Through a proven school model, a project-based learning platform, and powerful professional development, we coach schools toward lasting change and ongoing improvement.

There are nearly 200 schools in 28 states and Australia in the New Tech Network. Visit a school today!

http://www.newtechnetwork.org/engage/tours

Source: New Tech Network

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