Shows
NTN UnpackedScaling Deeper Learning: Lessons from Hardin County SchoolsWhat does it take to bring deeper learning to scale across an entire district? In this episode of NTN Unpacked, School Development Coaches Missy Saldana and Val Grijalva take us inside a district-wide transformation at Hardin County Schools in Kentucky, where 10 middle and high schools partnered with New Tech Network to reshape teaching and learning.You’ll hear from district and school leaders—including Brandy New (Director of Innovation), Tim Isaacs (Principal, Central Hardin High), Brittany Nickel (Principal, East Hardin Middle), and John Calhoun (Middle School Social Studies Teacher)—about how this m...2025-06-2449 min
NTN UnpackedSlamming for a Cause at NTH@CIn this dynamic episode of NTN Unpacked, host Mark Stolan and School Development Coach Aubrey Thompson sit down with Danae Boyd and Janelle Bence from New Tech High @ Coppell (NTH@C) to explore Slamming for a Cause—a powerful legacy project where 9th grade learners turn research on global human rights issues into original slam poetry, raising awareness and funds for local organizations.This interdisciplinary project blends English and human geography, inviting students to write, revise, and perform their work while managing all aspects of event planning, from marketing an...2025-06-1049 min
NTN UnpackedInstructional Coaching That Sustains InnovationIn this episode of NTN Unpacked, we head to Handy Middle School in Bay City, Michigan, where PBL Instructional Coach Rebekah Deal and 7th grade science teacher Valerie Steele share what it looks like to support and grow a schoolwide project-based learning culture—together.Hosted by Mark Stolan, this episode dives deep into the evolving role of instructional coaching, the power of teacher–coach relationships, and how teams at Handy are navigating the challenges of collaboration, curriculum design, and classroom culture while implementing PBL across all three grade levels.You’ll hear i...2025-05-2734 min
NTN UnpackedReimagining PE Through Project-Based LearningIn this energizing episode of NTN Unpacked, returning co-host and NTN School Development Coach Val Grijalva sits down with veteran educator Laura Pacheco of Young Women’s STEAM Academy in El Paso, Texas, to explore how project-based learning (PBL) can transform physical education into a deeply inclusive, collaborative, and meaningful experience.With over a decade of teaching experience and seven years of PBL implementation under her belt, Coach Pacheco shares how she’s designed PE projects that go far beyond movement — projects that connect students to real-world issues, cross-curricular learning, and their own creati...2025-05-2037 min
NTN UnpackedWhat’s Possible With AI in the Classroom?In this thought-provoking episode of NTN Unpacked, we dive into the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence (AI) in education with veteran educator Jason Currie-Olson from Washington High School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Joined by hosts Mark Stolan and Missy Saldana, Jason shares how he’s actively exploring AI tools to enhance instruction, empower students, and rethink assessment in meaningful ways.Whether you’re AI-curious or already experimenting with tools in your own classroom, this episode offers an honest, practical, and energizing look at what happens when teachers and students co-create learning with AI.2025-05-1343 min
NTN UnpackedPre-K Pioneers: Launching PBL with Our Youngest LearnersIn this inspiring episode of NTN Unpacked, our very own School Development Coach Val Grijalva sits down with Ashley Perales and Henley Price, two pre-K teachers from Gale Pond Alamo Elementary School in Odessa, Texas, who boldly embraced project-based learning (PBL) for the first time this year. As the first educators in their district to implement PBL at the pre-K level, Ashley and Henley share a candid and uplifting look into what it took connect learning to real-world relevance with their youngest learners.You’ll hear reflections on:How PB...2025-05-0637 min
Get REAL with Lisa Crown PodcastSpotlight Interview with County Manager -Valerie Grijalva, the ultimate growth journey!Everyone wants to know how to start at a company and work your way up. Now you get to hear from Valerie who takes us on that growth journey and drop endless nuggets along the way. I left this interview long rather than editing it, because you don't want to miss a minute of this interview, trust me! Val, thank you so much for your real, raw and open interview. You hit a homerun, my friend! Congrats on moving up in our firm, you deserve it!!!
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Reach Higher Riverside!Ep. 26 Census 2020Priscilla Grijalva interviews Samuel Molina, California State Director of Mi Familia Vota. We discuss the census and the importance of it. A few shout outs to Deja from Norte Vista High School (Alvord Unified School District), Olivia from Orange Vista High School (Val Verde Unified School District), When We All Vote, and the U.S. Marines.Audio Edits by Dan Reyes;"Reaching Higher" Song Lyrics and Music by: Jessica and Jackie Parry, Vocals by Emily Patterson (2015)2020-03-0813 minReach Higher Riverside!Ep. 25 Equity in School Counseling: from Athletes to Social Emotional NeedsPriscilla Grijalva interviews Dr. Yuri Nava (Poly High School Counselor, Riverside Unified School District) and Eric Sanchez (Vista Del Lago High School Counselor, Moreno Valley Unified School District). We discuss the importance of the ASCA National Model, data, NCAA and tips for working with athletes. A few shout outs to Reach Higher, ASCA, CASC, Dr. Judy White (Riverside County Superintendent of Schools), Janelle Poulter (Banning Unified School District), Sandy Arave (Western Center Academy), Matt Elder (Val Verde Unified School District), and all the amazing educators in Riverside County!Audio Edits by: Dan Reyes;"Reaching Higher" Song...2020-02-1234 minReach Higher Riverside!Ep. 23 TN AchievesPriscilla Grijalva interviews Graham Thomas, Tennessee Achieves Deputy Director of Outreach. TN Achieves is a leader in the nation for college affordability and FAFSA completion efforts. TN Achieves recruits, trains and manages the volunteer mentors working directly with TN Promise students to alleviate barriers associated with higher education. Shout outs to: Quinton Clay (Northern Illinois University), Katie Ermert (Lasselle Elementary, Val Verde USD), Mark LeNoir (Val Verde USD), and Beth Arey (Evanston Township High School). "Reaching Higher" Song Lyrics and Music by: Jessica and Jackie Parry, Vocals by Emily Patterson (2015)TN Achieves: https://tnachieves.org/2019-12-1518 minReach Higher Riverside!Ep. 20 All in for Financial Aid!Priscilla Grijalva and Dan Reyes open October financial aid season with amazing guests! Priscilla interviews Jon Waldrep from the California Student Aid Commission Training and Outreach Programs. Other special guests include: John King (former Education Secretary for Barack Obama and CEO at the Education Trust), Jose Valdivia (UC San Diego), Conner Chappel (UCLA), and 99.1 KGGI Radio! Shout outs to: Perris Union High School District, Cherrie Cunningham (RCOE Secretary to the Director of College and Career), Orange Vista High School (Val Verde Unified School District), Rancho Verde High School (VUSD), The Education Trust-West, the California Student Aid Commission, the California Department...2019-10-0128 minReach Higher Riverside!Ep. 8 Race To SubmitPriscilla Grijalva interviews Mark LeNoir (Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services), Race To Submit Champion: Robin Ellison (School Counselor) and James Macaraeg (School Counselor) from Val Verde Unified School District. We discuss Financial Aid and the Race to Submit Competition. Dan Reyes talks about Ep 8. "Cheery Monday" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Audio Edits by Dan Reyes2018-11-0223 min