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New Technology Foundation Becomes New Tech Network

New times and new changes have sparked a new name for the New Technology Foundation. Now identified as the New Tech Network, the name reflects the evolution of this influential organization as it continues to change the nation’s educational landscape one school at a time.

According to Monica Martinez, New Tech Network’s president, the new name better describes the organization. “In the beginning, the Foundation just wanted to replicate a few schools like the one in Napa, California. Now it has grown to 41 schools, so ‘foundation’ is really a misnomer,” Martinez said. “It is a live, growing network that’s really vibrant.”

Martinez believes the name also better describes the organization’s goals.

“We want [to create] a network of schools because it keeps schools from being isolated. It allows them to give support to one another,” Martinez said. “The word ‘network’ recognizes the growing national network of schools that share the New Tech approach to education.”

Beyond the new name, the New Tech Network has undergone a series of other changes. In October the New Tech Network will become a division of the Cincinnati-based KnowledgeWorks Foundation. This follows an investment of $10 million from KnowledgeWorks to the New Tech Network in March.

Martinez maintains that the organization’s main objective will remain the same—supporting the start up and implementation of New Tech High Schools across the United States. “We still want to increase the number of New Tech schools in the U.S.,” Martinez said. “The merger just changes how New Tech is organized.”

Under the new structure, KnowledgeWorks provides operational support that will ensure New Tech Network is efficient and financially stable, Martinez said.

Staffing changes also will support the new structure. Monica Martinez assumed the role of president after having served as the vice president for education strategy for KnowledgeWorks.

Chris Walsh, who has worked with WestEd and Google, was chosen as the new director of innovation and design for the New Tech Network. Walsh is a specialist in education and teaching who will work to build the organization’s network connections, Martinez said.

Michael DiMaggio, who previously worked with the Council of Chief State School Officers and the National Education Association, has begun working as the new director of strategic partnerships. Martinez said that DiMaggio will help establish New Tech in targeted states by aligning state systems in a way that will achieve reform.

“We’re really trying to grow the leadership team because in the past it was very regional. Now we have lots of national players,” Martinez said. “We will redefine what teaching and learning should look like in the future.”

To see the new look of New Tech and learn more about the organization, visit www.newtechnetwork.org.