Staff & Board of Directors

Paul Curtis
Chief Academic Officer
pcurtis@newtechfoundation.org

Paul Curtis began his teaching career in the Social Studies Department at Napa High School where he served as department chair and Advanced Placement US History teacher. He also helped create a career academy that integrated curriculum between subject areas and prepared students for the business world.

In 1997 Paul was recruited to New Technology High School and immediately saw the benefits of working in an environment that allows for block scheduling, team teaching, and, of course, a technology rich classroom. While at New Tech High, he helped define the school's curriculum model, assessment practices and technology tools that have become the hallmark of all New Technology High Schools. As the school gained a reputation for innovation and hosted hundreds of visitors each year, he became a strong advocate for school restructuring and educational reform. In 2000, Paul was selected as Napa County Teacher of the Year.

In the 2000-2001 school year, Paul took a sabbatical to work with the Buck Institute for Education to develop problem based curricular units for Economics and to conduct workshops for educators on problem and project based learning strategies. Upon his return to New Tech High, Paul was recruited to work for the New Technology Foundation to help other schools implement the New Tech Model. As Chief Academic Officer for the New Technology Foundation, Paul is responsible for defining and refining the New Tech Model and for assisting in transferring the knowledge and experiences of the growing network of New Tech schools to others seeking to create a 21st century school.

Paul earned his BA in Sociology from University of California, Santa Barbara.