New Tech Network, the Napa, Calif.-based school development organization that supports the start-up and implementation of 21st-century high schools has named national education expert Monica Martinez President of the organization and Chris Walsh and Michael DiMaggio -- two veteran education innovators -- as part of its leadership team.
Walsh, Director of Innovation and Design and DiMaggio, Director of Strategic Partnerships, bring the expertise and experience to help rapidly scale the New Tech Network, or New Tech. The executives will join the existing leadership team at New Tech that successfully developed and sustained the learner-centered network of high schools.
Their appointments come on the heels of a July 30 announcement that New Tech Network (formerly New Technology Foundation) will become a division of Cincinnati-based KnowledgeWorks. New Tech will support KnowledgeWorks’ rapid expansion of the high school system. The integration is expected to be completed as of Oct. 1, 2009.
“Monica is not just one of the foremost high school experts in the country, she also has the know-how and resources to bring New Tech high schools to communities across the country,” said Chad P. Wick, President and CEO of KnowledgeWorks. “I am also thrilled to have Chris Walsh and Michael DiMaggio on board, who will play key roles in scaling the New Tech Network to meet the growing demand for its innovative approach.”
New Tech high schools foster a culture of individual responsibility and respect. They engage students and teachers in an innovative instructional approach that integrates project-based learning and a 1:1 student-to-computer ratio. New Tech actively partners with school districts, using proprietary processes and tools to localize this powerful new approach to learning and prepare students for college and the careers of tomorrow.
A native of Colorado, Martinez led KnowledgeWorks’ efforts to transform the national education landscape as Vice President of Education Strategy. She oversaw the development of new initiatives and coordination of strategic planning based on the organization’s 2006-2016 Map of Future Forces as well as the development of its new 2020 Forecast.
Prior to being named Vice President, Martinez was an adviser to the foundation as Senior Fellow, providing expertise on issues related to educational access and achievement for low-income and minority students. She also founded the D.C.-based National High School Alliance, a partnership of more than 40 organizations sharing a common commitment to promoting excellence, equity, and development of high school-age youth. Martinez received her Ph.D. and M.A. in Higher Education Administration from the School of Education at New York University and her bachelor's degree from Baylor University.
Martinez, who has served as chief operating officer at New Tech for the past year, said the unique skills offered by DiMaggio and Walsh can help New Tech realize its vision of becoming the most respected and efficient approach for state economic development, school success and student success in the nation.
