DISCOVERY EDUCATION INVITES SCHOOL DISTRICT LEADERS TO PARTICIPATE IN NEW PROFESSIONAL LEARNING SERIES, POWERFUL PRACTICES, FEATURING NATIONALLY RENOWNED EXPERTS IN EDUCATION Elizabeth Hillman(240) 662-2664, Elizabeth_Hillman@discovery.com Stephen Wakefield(240) 662-5563, Stephen_Wakefield@discovery.com – Three unique, no-cost events to explore equity, personalized learning, formative assessment, culturally responsive classrooms, and student engagement – Silver Spring, Md. (January 6, 2016) — Discovery Education, the leading provider of digital content and professional development for K-12 classrooms, invites superintendents and curriculum leaders to attend a unique new series of professional learning events exploring critical topics in education leadership. Powerful Practices: The Instructional Leadership Experience series, which launches on January 28 in Hershey, Pa., will explore critical topics in education including equity, personalized learning, formative assessment, culturally responsive classrooms, and student engagement. Designed especially for public and private school instructional leaders interested in moving their schools to best practice, these no-cost, one-day events will feature engaging keynote addresses from prominent education thought leaders, interactive breakout sessions, and numerous networking opportunities. “I am looking forward to attending the Powerful Practices event in Nashville, TN,” said Scott Gaines, Assistant Director of Schools, Maury County Schools, TN. “This series of events promises to provide valuable insight into solving some the critical issues facing not only my school system, but school systems across the United States.” Event dates, locations, and featured speakers include: January 28 in Hershey, PA, featuring Dr. Freeman Hrabowski, President of UMBC (University of Maryland, Baltimore County). Dr. Freeman A. Hrabowski is a national leader in science and math education and an expert on closing opportunity gaps. Hrabowski, author of “Empowering Youth from the Civil Rights Crusade to STEM Achievement,” has led UMBC to yield one of the highest rates of African-American post-graduate degrees in science and engineering fields throughout the country. He chairs the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for African Americans and was named one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World by TIME. February 24 in Nashville, TN, featuring Erin Gruwell, Founder, The Freedom Writers Foundation.Erin Gruwell was a high school teacher to inner-city Los Angeles youth who helped 150 of her students to use the power of education to write a book, graduate from high school, and attend college. Her journey was chronicled in the New York Times bestseller, The Freedom Writers Diary and in a 2007 film with Hillary Swank. Erin challenged her students to overcome poverty, racism, and violence to become published writers and catalysts for change. Today, Erin has extended the reach of her powerful teaching methods by providing professional development to teachers nationwide through the Freedom Writers Foundation. March 15 in Pasadena, CA, featuring Dr. Pedro Noguera, Distinguished Professor of Education, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Dr. Pedro Noguera is a Distinguished Professor of Education in the Graduate School of Education at UCLA and one of America’s most important voices for public education. He focuses on how socioeconomic conditions impact schools and how districts grapple with issues of equity and excellence. Noguera’s research is detailed in eleven books and over 20 articles and monographs. Previously, he served as professor at New York University, Harvard University, and the University of California, Berkeley, and as a Trustee for the State University of New York. Noguera appears regularly as an education commentator on CNN, MSNBC, and NPR. For additional information and to register for any of the Powerful Practices, visit https://www.discoveryeducation.com/Events/powerful-practices/index.cfm. “Discovery Education is pleased to offer these three valuable professional learning opportunities,” said Scott Kinney, Senior Vice President, Discovery Education. “We believe that each of the topics explored in this series are central to supporting the success of each student, and we look forward to engaging, interactive events that will add to the national dialogue on transforming teaching and learning.” For more information about other initiatives, services and resources available from Discovery Education, visit www.discoveryeducation.com. About Discovery EducationDiscovery Education is the global leader in standards-based digital content for K-12, transforming teaching and learning with award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia content, professional development, and the largest professional learning community of its kind. Serving 3 million educators and over 30 million students, Discovery Education’s services are in half of U.S. classrooms, over 40 percent of all primary schools in the UK, and more than 50 countries. Discovery Education partners with districts, states and like-minded organizations to captivate students, empower teachers, and transform classrooms with customized solutions that increase 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.