Insights Blog

TPZ Insights

The Insights blog is a platform for TPZ staff, students, alumni, and partners to elevate the organization’s mission, our vision, and/or values by: responding to current news and events; disseminating research findings, expertise, and/or commentary; both posing and answering questions to challenges or the status quo; or sharing personal narratives or interviews. Since 2012, educators and changemakers have fused entrepreneurship and innovative experiential learning so that young people may experience advanced economic equity. The TPZ Insights blog moves relevant, timely discussions forward. Interested in contributing to the blog? Email us.

Insights Blog

13 Feb 2026

Five Best Practices for Career and Technical Education: Preparing HS students for what’s next

Across the country, demand for high-quality Career and Technical Education (CTE) is rising, and for good reason. When designed well, CTE does more than prepare high school students for a first job. It provides practical opportunities for students to build…

Insights Blog

16 Jan 2026

Building What Comes Next: Ted Lombardi on Growth, Pathways, and TPZ’s Next Chapter

Ted Lombardi, Ed.D., has spent the past two decades helping young people discover meaningful, career-connected pathways. Now, as TPZ’s inaugural Chief Expansion & Opportunity Officer, he’s bringing that passion to gateway cities across Massachusetts. Fresh off settling into TPZ’s new…

Insights Blog

23 Jun 2025

Sewing a career path with passion

How do you build a business based on your passion? It can seem like an impossible dream, especially when you are not sure of what excites you. Every day, educators at The Possible Zone (TPZ) lead high school students through…

Insights Blog

30 May 2025

Why Restorative Justice Practices Matter in a Youth Development Space (video)

A restorative climate focuses on building a strong sense of community and positive relationships among all stakeholders, while also providing a framework for addressing conflict and harm. In a restorative educational community, all members feel safe and welcomed, and adults…

Insights Blog

20 Jun 2024

Engaging and Inspiring Readers through Creative Storytelling

It’s National Week of Making, and at The Possible Zone, our team boasts dozens of innovative, creative makers who inspire through their artistry and ingenuity. LJ Baptiste, TPZ educator/advisor, is a cartoonist who also works as part of the team…

Insights Blog

25 Apr 2024

Internships as Valuable Stepping Stones

by Stefana Soitos, Senior Director of College & Career Pathways — April is National Internship Month–a time to recognize these valuable work-based learning opportunities. | Watching our students move into and successfully through internship opportunities is central to our work-based…

Insights Blog

11 Apr 2024

Robotics Exploration Builds Essential Skills

by Jeff Branson, Senior Director of STEAM Education & Partnerships — Today, we are moving through the second decade of Industry 4.0–the Fourth Industrial Revolution–when intelligent digital technologies integrate into manufacturing and industrial processes. Traditional work is shifting because of…

Insights Blog

26 Mar 2024

Lifting Voices Through an Engineering Mindset

by Janet Hollingsworth, Vice President of STEAM & Innovation — I have taken on most things in life with a pretty simple mantra: approach challenges with a creative mindset, and seek out interesting hard problems. As a young person, there…

Insights Blog

29 Feb 2024

Growth Mindset is Crucial – And Not Just For Kids

by Jeremy Taylor, Ph.D., Chief Research & Evaluation Officer — TPZ Core Competency Focus: Growth mindset is one of the interconnected skills, mindsets, and assets students develop at The Possible Zone that contributes to Entrepreneurial Spirit. Growth mindset is also…

Insights Blog

7 Dec 2023

TPZ Explores The Digital Frontier

Jeff Branson recently joined The Possible Zone (TPZ) as Senior Director for STEAM Education and Partnerships. As part of our move towards giving TPZ students a more comprehensive exposure to emerging technology, we are developing intensive programs involving code, hardware,…