Fort Wayne Educator Wins Award for Outstanding Leadership in Education
Orlando, Florida (PRWEB) July 14, 2016 -- New Tech Network (NTN) announced at its annual conference (NTAC) in Orlando, Florida, that Liz Bryan, founding director of the New Tech Academy at Wayne High School, Indiana, was the 2016 recipient of the Susan Schilling Legacy Award.
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 the United States and Australia.
"On behalf of the entire New Tech Network community, it is my pleasure to recognize Liz for an extraordinary career as an educator. 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 Lydia Dobyns, President and CEO of New Tech Network. “Since 2009, New Tech Academy at Wayne High School has held tours for countless schools and trained teachers from across the country helping other educators to best enable their students to achieve success in their post-secondary lives and careers."
Bryan's achievement was recognized by more than 1,850 educators representing elementary, middle and high schools nationwide at the July 11-14 conference which featured the theme: "Making it Personal ─ Connecting the School and the Student.”
"I am honored to receive this award which represents all that we as educators strive to achieve. This award is truly made possible by all of the passionate teachers that are making a difference in students' lives," said Bryan.
"Liz Bryan was more than just a leader, she was an enabler," said Riley Johnson, Principal at Napa New Technology High School in Napa, CA., and formerly a teacher of social studies, math and music at New Tech Academy at Wayne High School. “Liz enabled her teachers to take risks, collaborate at high levels, and experiment with what we called PBL (Project-Based Learning). She trusted our knowledge, but ensured that our vision kept students first and aligned with the core values of the school.”
New Tech high schools are booming in Northeast Indiana, an economically challenged geographic area. Since Northeast Indiana is known for its defense and manufacturing industries, in order to retain those industries, the NTN schools have found a way to keep young talent by teaching skills that will create opportunities and career advancement within the community.
The NTAC event brought educators together to share strategies, learn new techniques and deepen the understanding of how best to support students in New Tech schools. Also included was professional development to support principals, teachers and district leaders who are preparing students for life after high school.
The New Tech Network consists of over 180 schools in the United States and Australia. NTN is a leading design partner for comprehensive school change and while it does not operate schools, all New Tech schools share four design elements:
· Teaching that Engages ─ Through project-based learning, students become problem-solvers.
· Outcomes that Matter ─ New Tech Network learning outcomes also measure collaboration, written and oral communication and the development of student responsibility for their own learning, or agency.
· Culture that Empowers ─ By making learning relevant and creating a collaborative learning culture, students become connected to, engaged with, and challenged by their school, their teachers and their peers.
· Technology that Enables ─ Through a technology-rich environment, teachers and students create, communicate, access information, and experience self-directed learning.
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Who We Are:
New Tech Network(NTN), a national non-profit organization, is a leading design partner for comprehensive school change. We work closely with districts and schools to create innovative learning environments. 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 over 180 schools in 29 states and Australia in the New Tech Network. Visit a school today!
http://www.newtechnetwork.org/engage/tours
Krista Clark, New Tech Network Inc, http://www.newtechnetwork.org, +1 (707) 259-5972, [email protected]
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