EDUCATORS AND ADMINISTRATORS WORLDWIDE INVITED TO ATTEND DISCOVERY EDUCATION’S FALL VIRTCON Christina Scripps, Discovery Education240-662-6502christina_scripps@discovery.com — No-Cost Virtual and In-Person Learning Events to Empower Educators with New Instructional Strategies to Support Students’ Literacies for the Digital Age– SILVER SPRING, Md. (October 12, 2015) – Discovery Education invites teachers and administrators worldwide to participate in the Discovery Educator Network’s (DEN) upcoming Fall VirtCon on Saturday, October 24. Focused on the theme Literacies for the Digital Age, this no-cost, day-long professional development event offers virtual and face-to-face opportunities for educators to learn new instructional strategies strengthening the essential literacy skills students need for success in the Digital Age. Supported by Discovery Education, the leading provider of digital content for K-12 classrooms, the DEN is one of the largest and most active communities of tech-savvy educators passionate about teaching with digital media, sharing resources, collaborating, and networking. Featuring engaging presentations from inspiring educators, administrators, and education thought leaders, this live-streamed event will reimagine traditional teaching and learning through the exploration of Kathy Schrock’s 13 Literacies for the Digital Age, which empowers students with the critical-thinking skills needed for success beyond the classroom. Among the scheduled presenters are: Jacqueline Prester, Business & Technology Teacher at Massachusetts’ Mansfield Public Schools. During her remarks, Prester will share new strategies and resources for introducing students to economic literacy concepts and building real-world skills for life-long financial competence. Joe Sangillo, State Adoptions Manager at Discovery Education and former Social Studies Teacher at Maryland’s Montgomery County Public Schools. Sangillo’s presentation will highlight the importance of civic literacy as well as new opportunities for engaging students in local, regional and worldwide affairs. Kyle Schutt, Director of Educational Outreach and Curriculum Integration at Discovery Education. Schutt will provide attendees new approaches for improving health literacy, connecting global health concerns to classroom instruction, and supporting students’ health goals. Discovery Education encourages teachers and administrators to create local face-to-face events at which they can network with their peers, participate in the virtual events, and discuss and workshop the online presentations. For more information about hosting a local viewing party, or to register for virtual and in-person events, visit: https://www.discoveryeducation.com/FallVirtcon2015. Use the hashtag #FallVirtCon to follow along with this event on Twitter. At the conclusion of the 2015 Fall VirtCon, all sessions will be archived and available at the event website. “After attending previous VirtCons, I returned to my classroom with new strategies and tactics I could immediately implement to create more dynamic and engaging learning environments for my students,” said Dana Johnston, Instructional Specialist at West Orange Elementary School, Orange Unified School District, Calif. “Participation in Discovery Education’s VirtCon provides educators the unique opportunity to connect with colleagues around the world, and hear from forefront leaders on cutting-edge practices. I encourage all educators, regardless of your position, to register and participate in this event.” 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. As one of the largest professional learning communities, the DEN has impacted more than one million educators worldwide. The DEN conducts two VirtCons annually. The Spring 2015 VirtCon attracted 2,900 attendees who participated online and at 41 in-person events. “Discovery Education is excited to once again offer the DEN VirtCon to inspire and connect educators worldwide,” said Lance Rougeux, vice president of learning communities and instructional implementation for Discovery Education. “This year’s VirtCon, Literacies for the Digital Age, is an ideal opportunity for educators looking for new, innovative ways to transform teaching and learning in their classrooms.” To learn more about the DEN and Discovery Education’s other initiatives and services, 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 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.