Local educators participate in Discovery Educator Symposium

On June 25-26, Chad Lehman, Wauwatosa, a teacher from West Allis-West Milwaukee School District, and Rachel Yurk, Brookfield, a teacher from the School District of New Berlin, along with 60 educators from across the country, participated in the Discovery Educator Network Leadership Council Symposium at the headquarters of Discovery Communications in Silver Spring, Md. The event was hosted by Discovery Education, a division of Discovery Communications, whose networks include Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and the Science Channel.

Lehman and Yurk are members of the Wisconsin Discovery Educator Network (DEN) Leadership Council. In more than 20 states nationwide, DEN Leadership Councils support educators' efforts to integrate technology and digital content into curriculum through a variety of activities, including professional development workshops, networking events and regular communications on emerging technology and best practices. In addition, each Council authors a blog that serves as an information clearinghouse on state-specific education issues. Together, these activities assist teachers across Wisconsin, regardless of their familiarity with technology, as they implement the new hi-tech tools available to improve student achievement.

During the Symposium, participants learned new leadership strategies and presentation methods they can use to encourage and support their peers as they work to integrate the latest educational technologies into classroom activities. In addition, Lehman and Yurk networked with the members of other Leadership Councils from across the nation, sharing ideas and best practices to help their peers improve student achievement.

"We are pleased to host the Discovery Educator Network Leadership Council Symposium," said Discovery Education Director Lance Rougeux. "The DEN Leadership Councils were formed to empower educators to spread the word about the educational benefits of digital media and technology in the classroom."

About Discovery Education

Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) revolutionized television with Discovery Channel and is now transforming classrooms through Discovery Education. Powered by the number one nonfiction media company in the world, Discovery Education combines scientifically proven, standards-based digital media and a dynamic user community in order to empower teachers to improve student achievement. Already, more than half of all U.S. schools access Discovery Education digital services. Explore the future of education at

www.discoveryeducation.com.