NTN Unpacked
NTN Unpacked
Podcast Description
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.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast centers on themes of educational transformation, project-based learning, and systemic change in K-12 education. Episodes like the debut featuring Nex+Gen Academy focus on real-world initiatives such as food waste reduction projects, community partnerships, and empowering student voices, showcasing how these efforts create meaningful learning experiences and impact within schools.
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.
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 a long established NTN school in continued growth and development around the NTN model.
From researching authentic community needs to defending their work before panels of civic leaders, students step into real-world problem solving – and often discover that growth comes through struggle, pivots, and persistence. Along the way, Rebecca and Melanie reflect on how the course has evolved, the challenges of procrastination and “senioritis,” and the ways this work is reshaping school culture across grade levels.
✨ You’ll hear reflections on:
- How capstone projects deepen student ownership and agency
- Strategies for supporting seniors through procrastination and “messy middles”
- The role of community partnerships and public presentations in authentic learning
- Lessons learned from evolving and refining the capstone model over time
- How capstone work influences schoolwide culture – even beyond senior year
Whether you’re an educator curious about launching a capstone project or simply looking for ideas to deepen student agency, this conversation offers practical insights and powerful reminders of why authentic learning matters.
💡 We’d love your input! As mentioned in this episode, we’re for new projects and stories to join us in season 2! Nominate yourself or a colleague via our guest suggestion form today!
🔔 Subscribe to NTN Unpacked and follow us on Instagram @NTNUnpacked for more authentic stories from across the New Tech Network – around the country and right next door.
Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
For a complete disclaimer, please see our Full Disclaimer on the archive page. The Podcast Collaborative bears no responsibility for the podcast’s themes, language, or overall content. Listener discretion is advised. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for more details.