Cox Communications invests in Valley teachers and parents, broadening modern digital learning environments to achieve maximum student engagement and learning Elizabeth Hillman240-461-3053 elizabeth_hillman@discovery.com Free professional development for educators, in addition to an evening event featuring Chris Jacobs, Host of Velocity’s Overhaulin’ on March 4 PHOENIX – Cox Communications today announced that it will present a two-part event for Valley educators, students, families and community members that will focus on how modern digital learning environments, powered by broadband, can improve student achievement. The workshop entitled “Celebrating the Link Between Digital Learning Environments and Student Achievement” will be on March 4, 2015 at Mohave Middle School at 8490 E. Jackrabbit Road in Scottsdale. This workshop is offered in partnership with Scottsdale Unified School District, Paradise Valley Unified School District, and Discovery Education, the leading provider of digital content and professional development for K-12 classrooms. “Connecting youth to technology is a core value of Cox, and has guided our community investments for decades,” said John Wolfe, Senior Vice President and Southwest Region Manager for Cox Communications. “The Internet is a vital educational resource in classrooms today and we’re happy to help teachers feel comfortable with all of the digital tools that are available to them. Cox is also committed to providing the market with the fastest speeds available in Arizona with our deployment of 1 Gig Internet speeds in Phoenix. ” The day will begin with an immersive, no cost professional development opportunity for teachers in the Scottsdale and Paradise Valley area. Through a series of interactive sessions led by Discovery Education’s expert team, participants will learn practical strategies and tactics for integrating educational technologies and rich digital content delivered via broadband into teaching and learning. In addition, educators will have the opportunity to network and idea-share throughout the event. “We are thrilled to host this unique opportunity for Valley teachers, students and families to experience the way 21st Century teaching is evolving,” said Dr. David Peterson, Scottsdale Unified School District Superintendent. “We appreciate the partnership we have with Cox and Discovery Education that makes this possible.” Following the workshop, Cox Communications will present an engaging community night featuring Chris Jacobs, co-host of the popular Velocity show Overhaulin’. During this event, parents and members of the community are invited to experience how broadband can power digital learning initiatives through a variety of interactive demonstrations including a student technology showcase, augmented reality technology presentation, and more. Additionally, parents will have the opportunity to take a stand against cyberbullying by signing Cox’s “Take Charge!” pledge, and get information on Cox’s participation in Connect2Compete, a broadband adoption program, which offers discounted high speed internet service to low-income families. "Discovery Communications is thrilled to bring Discovery Education resources to the Scottsdale area and support Cox Communications’ commitment to driving student achievement and improving digital teaching and learning through the power of broadband," said Courtney Menzel, Senior Vice President of Domestic Distribution, Discovery Communications. “We look forward to continuing our partnership with Cox and supporting their efforts to create robust learning initiatives that prepare students for college, careers and citizenship.” As an investor and partner in local communities, Cox has invested more than $150 million in Arizona communities through infrastructure upgrades in the past five years. With 15,000 miles of broadband network, 3,000 miles of fiber optics and planned 1 gig availability throughout the Valley in the coming years, Cox is helping to build Arizona’s educational future through various outlets. For additional details and to register for the community night event, visit: www.coxpresentsdlecommunity.eventbrite.com. To learn more about Cox Communications, visit www.cox.com. To learn more about Discovery Education, visit www.discoveryeducation.com. Cox Communications ArizonaCox Communications is the third largest cable provider and a multi-service broadband communications company serving nearly 3 million residential and business product subscribers in Arizona (a product subscriber represents an individual service purchased by a customer). In metro Phoenix, Cox serves approximately 2.5 million product subscribers. In Southern Arizona, Cox serves approximately 400,000 product subscribers. Cox’s 15,000-mile hybrid fiber coaxial cable network throughout Phoenix and Southern Arizona provides homes and businesses with digital television, high speed Internet, home networking, high-definition television and digital telephone service over its own nationwide IP network. Cox is the third largest private for-profit employer in Arizona. During the past nine years, Cox has topped numerous J.D. Power and Associates’ studies of customer satisfaction, most recently receiving top honors for residential telephone & high speed Internet, and business data services and has received PC Magazine’s “people’s choice” award for the sixth time. Additionally, Cox High Speed Internet has been ranked #1 for the past seven years on the “Ranking Arizona-Best of Arizona Business” list. Cox Media is responsible for the sale of cable advertising throughout Arizona. Cox Communications is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc and serves approximately 6 million customers nationwide. Additional information about Cox in Arizona is available at www.cox.com/arizona. About Discovery Education?Discovery Education is the global leader in standards-based digital content and professional development for K-12, transforming teaching and learning with award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia content, professional development, assessment tools, and the largest professional learning community of its kind. Available in over half of all U.S. schools and primary schools in England, community colleges and in 50 countries around the world, Discovery Education partners with districts, states and like-minded organizations to captivate students, empower teachers, and transform classrooms with customized solutions that accelerate academic achievement. Discovery Education is powered by Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), the number one nonfiction media company in the world. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com. About Scottsdale Unified School DistrictScottsdale Unified School District, where we Engage, Educate and Empower Every Student, Every Day. The District and 19 schools have earned the state’s highest A-F Achievement Profile grade – A – by the Arizona Department of Education. For more information about Scottsdale Unified schools, please visit http://www.susd.org.