ILLINOIS’ DES PLAINES CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT 62 DRIVES DIGITAL TRANSITION WITH EXPANDED DISCOVERY EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP Christina Scripps, Discovery Education240-662-6502christina_scripps@discovery.com – New Professional Development Program Develops Teacher Leaders to Actively Participate in the District’s Digital Transition – Silver Spring, Md. (June 11, 2014) – Illinois’ Des Plaines Consolidated School District 62 today announced an expanded partnership with Discovery Education, the leading provider of digital content and professional development for K-12 classrooms. The expanded partnership will include an extensive professional development program which will develop teacher-leaders to serve as change agents powering the district’s digital transition. District 62 educators are participating in Discovery Education’s recently launched Digital Leader Corps (DLC), a new multi-year professional development program that builds and nurtures a network of teacher-leaders to design and implement successful and innovative teaching strategies that can be shared with their peers. This new collaboration will support educators as they drive a digital transition that is transforming teaching and learning in the school system and providing dynamic learning opportunities for all students. In 2013, the district created an ambitious plan to increase use of digital devices and content in K-12 classrooms over a three year period. Through DLC, Discovery Education will support this plan by building the capacity of District 62 teacher leaders to effectively integrate digital content into instruction and prepare students to be globally competitive, 21st-century citizens. Featuring a unique combination of professional learning, pedagogy and tools, the DLC offers participating educators proven strategies for integrating educational technologies and digital media into classroom instruction. A new innovation included in the DLC is educator created, student-centered Learning Labs. In these labs, teachers bring to life new teaching strategies, and practice and adapt their skills in a classroom setting before sharing their successes broadly with their colleagues. The DLC program provides teachers with continuous customized, job-embedded consultation throughout the process with on-going modeling, coaching and feedback from Discovery Education DLC experts in the pre-planning, stakeholder communications and implementation phases. “To truly transform teaching and learning and ensure a successful digital transition, our teachers need a supportive environment where they can continuously improve their skills, knowledge and instructional practices,” said District 62 Superintendent Dr. Jane Westerhold. “We are thrilled to partner with Discovery Education to support our educators in becoming digital leaders and agents for change within their schools.” Since 2012, Des Plaines School District 62 and Discovery Education have partnered to bring digital resources to classrooms to empower teachers, enhance curriculum and inspire students. Students district-wide currently have access to Discovery Education Streaming Plus, a comprehensive digital library of over 150,000 learning objects aligned to state and national standards. In addition, the Discovery Educator Network (DEN) will support District 62 educators in their efforts to transform students’ learning experiences with digital media. A global community of education professionals, the DEN connects members across school systems and around the world through social media, virtual conferences, and in-person events, fostering valuable networking, idea sharing and inspiration. Over 20 Des Plaines educators are currently participating in the Discovery Educator Network (DEN) Ambassador program. Each DEN Ambassador makes a commitment to attend a series of in-person professional learning experiences, participate in on-line discussions, and share what he or she learns with colleagues and administrators. “We are excited to collaborate with District 62 to continue to support their digital transition by building the capacity of their teachers to make a positive impact on student achievement,” said Jason Barnes, vice president at Discovery Education. “Digital Leader Corps will prepare District 62’s educators to not only bring their own classrooms alive with innovative digital resources, but to also play a central role in creating lasting change within their school system.” For more information on Digital Leader Corps, Discovery Education Streaming Plus, and other Discovery Education services, visit www.discoveryeducation.com. 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 that supports the implementation of Common Core, 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.