E54-Mark Schmitz Podcast, "Farmboy Innovator"

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 site. We are also working on having a website to share more of our resources. TBA

 

Key Outcomes

The discussion focused on the necessity of fundamental educational redesign, moving away from a rigid college-prep system toward a model based on personalized learning and agency for parents and teachers. Mark Schmitz shared insights on the value of microschooling and the importance of treating high school students as "practice adults" through apprenticeship and experiential learning.

Educational Innovation & Microschooling

• Microschooling Theory: Smaller units allow for greater customization to meet family needs and provide more ownership for parents.
• Systemic Inefficiency: Current models often apply the same structure to a school of 40 students as they do to one with 2,000, which can lead to unsustainable budgets and potential closures.
• Deliverables Approach: Education should shift toward providing specific "deliverables" to students in smaller increments to create a more effective overall system.
• Outdoor Education: There is a push to preserve outdoor learning, citing models like Terra Nova as examples of bottom-up innovation that can be replicated in small groups.

Leadership & Systemic Challenges

• Reflexivity (The "Snap Back"): Innovation often faces a "reflexive" response where the system snaps back to traditional methods once a disruptive leader leaves or the initial momentum fades.
• Necessity as a Driver: Budget cuts and changing family needs often act as the primary catalysts for innovation.
• Agency & Compacts: The goal is to create a "compact" between educators and families—a mutual agreement to provide the best outcome for each student.

Comparative Policy Insights

• Wisconsin vs. Minnesota: In Wisconsin, charter schools are often authorized by and integrated with the school district, creating a more natural partnership compared to the more adversarial relationship sometimes seen in Minnesota.
• Appleton Example: Appleton, Wisconsin, is highlighted as a successful example of a "split-screen" concept, offering a wide variety of options from extreme traditional to arts-focused charter schools.

Perspectives on Student Development

• Practice Adults: High school students should be viewed as "practice adults" or apprentices to adulthood, as they are already making adult decisions in their personal lives.
• Delayed Adolescence: The current system tends to delay adolescence, which is viewed as a mistake; students instead need mentorship and experiential practice.
• Curriculum Redesign: There is a suggestion to revisit older, less rigid requirements (e.g., from the 1970s) to reduce the over-emphasis on liberal arts college entrance standards.

Learning Omnivores Conference

It's time to think about attending the Learning Omnivores Conference at Resource Training & Solutions in Sartell on Friday, October 30. We have a complement of great speakers for this different type of conference day. We are trying to make it TedX-like for a purpose. We hope to host this conference annually. If you are a NewTech High school, up to four members of your team can attend for free. If you are not officially a NewTech school, you can get a team rate of 25% off.

Bill Sommers, Executive Coach/Author, "Surfing Through Chaos in Leadership"

Stevie Ray, Improv Comedian/Coach, "Own Your Space"

Luke Greiner, MN Deed w/Dr. Jeff Howison -- "State Economic and Demographic Trends"

Tony Kadlec, Good Pointe Technology -- "Infrastructure Asset Management"

Gina Morken & Rachel Udstuen -- "Our Human-Centered Future"

Ric Dressen & Jake Trippel -- QBS, "Strategic Urgency with AI"

Kris Evje, Ortonville Superintendent, "Play TALL Leadership"

Jennifer Telecky, HS Principal -- "Hutchinson TigerPath"

Jerrid Sebesta, Entrepreneur -- "High Performing Entrepreneurship"