NewTech High--It is Personal!

NewTech High Podcast September 23, 2026 Good afternoon, Everyone. Today, we welcomed Mark Schmitz to the NewTech High podcast. Bob Wedl and Steven Rippe, NewTech High Advisory Board members participated in this rich discussion.  Mark is a former teacher, principal, athletic director and Superintendent for the last 35 years in Minnesota. In 2015, Mark Schmitz become the second Executive Director of Resource Training & Solutions. Mark is a native of Wadena, MN and is living on his family farm. Mark is one of Minnesota’s leading innovators!  Mark hit on some things we just haven't talked about much, so it was enriching to hear his views. Bob Wedl's recollection of some great innovations that Mark had a role in added another dimension. And, lo and behold, Mark and Steven had some common ground with the Terra Nova school that was also fun to observe.  Mark Schmitz Podcast  Note: We are soon to have all of our podcasts on Spotify (NewTech High), YouTube and a Twitter s...

  NewTech High Podcast -- Stevie Ray September 16, 2026 Our guest this afternoon was Stevie Ray, Improv and Comedian from the Twin Cities. Stevie Ray is also one of our keynotes at the Learning Omnivores Conference on October 30 at Resource Training and Solutions in Sartell. Stevie gives us a great view of performance, leadership and improvisation, as well as the interaction of those things. Podcast In addition to his role as Executive Director of Stevie Ray’s Improv Company, he has been a nationally recognized speaker and corporate trainer for over 35 years. The author of eleven books , he was also a national columnist for the Business Journal Newspapers for twenty-five years. Stevie has traveled the country helping organizations master the art of influence and sharpen professional skills. His clients include Fortune 500 companies and small organizations alike. Stevie performed his first comedy show at the age of nine. Touring the country as an improvisational and stand-up comedia...

NewTech High Podcast September 9, 2026 Deb Henton Interview/Podcast We had the good pleasure of interviewing Deb Henton, former Supt at North Branch, as well as 9th Executive Director of MASA for six years.  You can't watch this podcast without thinking about the implications of the power of women in our society. When Deb graduated from HS in 1972, the opportunities of women were far limited to what they are today. She definitely was a pioneer and we all respect these women of leadership. It doesn't seem like a big deal today, but you really have to look back 50 years to realize what a big deal that Deb and others accomplished to make it that way. Here is the transcript of our podcast summary!  Henton Podcast Key Outcomes Deb Henton, former superintendent and MESA executive director, shared lessons on leading change in large and small districts, navigating budget crises, advancing female leadership, and reimagining high school education. Key themes included transparent communi...

  Disruptive Innovations in High Schools NewTech High was one of 21 out of 136 proposals that was selected for the 2026 MASA conference later this month. This is the narrative shared with the presenting team as the lead-in to the 60-minute session on rapid disruptive innovation. Things for us to consider ahead of time. The audience may/will be resistant. Most MASA attendees (superintendents) may not want to hear this message — it challenges facets of the systems they lead, are comfortable with and have built careers inside. Grab the Opportunity! We are treating this as a single, high-leverage opportunity to inform this audience that the disruptive change is not just coming, but nearly complete. This is not a future hypothetical they can plan around at leisure. We may get other chances, but we also need to get people to “wake up” to the need for diffusing a new model…soon.  Implication for delivery. T he message needs to land with an audience predisposed to reject or deflect ...