Discovery Education Innovative Teacher Program:
Edison Township Public Schools
What: The Discovery Education Innovative Teacher Program is a
five-month initiative designed to enhance teachers’ understanding
of Discovery Education’s Streaming Plus. The program will have
participants from Edison Township Schools attain 40 points by
completing a certain number of learning tasks provided to them by
the Discovery Education Implementation Team. A full menu of
requirements and point opportunities for participants can be seen
below. As a part of the program, teachers will have met all of the
qualifications to apply for DEN STAR status (http://bit.ly/1E1Adf9 ),
and upon completion will receive a Discovery Education Innovative
Teacher Program certificate.
Who: All teachers who currently utilize Discovery Education’s
Streaming Plus are invited to join the program. Those interested in
participating must fill out the application
(http://goo.gl/forms/8Iu69cxPL9) by October 30.
When: Teachers have from November 1, 2015 through March 1,
2016 to complete the program.
Where: Events and meetings will be held throughout the school
district and online through Google Hangouts and WebEx
conferences.
How to register: Educators interested in participating in the
Innovative Teacher Program can register here :
http://goo.gl/forms/8Iu69cxPL9
Required Program Components
1. Complete the Discovery Education Innovative Teacher Program
Survey:
At the beginning and end of the program, the Discovery Education Implementation
Team will send out a survey to all program participants. This survey will collect
teacher input and will dictate the focus of future meetings.
Required Completion Date: November 2, 2015
Point Value: 1 point per survey
2. Attend the monthly Discovery Education Innovative Program
Monthly Meetings
Throughout the Discovery Education Innovation Program, the Implementation Team
will host a virtual monthly meeting around Streaming Plus resources and strategies
that were identified as requested focus areas in the pre-program survey. (Participants
must attend 3 out of the 4 meetings).
Required Completion Date: February 2015
Point Value: 3 points per meeting
3. Host two meetings for teachers at your school who ARE
NOT in the program
As a participant in the Discovery Education Innovative Teacher Program, you will
need to help your colleagues understand how they can use Discovery Education to
transform teaching and learning. Accordingly, you must host two meetings with at
least two colleagues and focus on an instructional strategy that they can use with
Streaming Plus in their classrooms. Once participants have hosted these two events,
they should apply to become a Discovery Education a DEN STAR (acceptance is
guaranteed). You can find more information about becoming a DEN STAR here:
http://www.discoveryeducation.com/what-we-offer/community/become-a-deneducator/index.cfm
Required Completion Date: November 1, 2015 – March 1, 2016
Point Value: 4 points per meeting
Roadmap to 40 : Elective Components
Level 1 Activities
1. Attend a Day of Discovery Education Professional Development
Participants of the program should attend one day of Discovery Education professional
development. As of right now, teachers have the option of attending a session on
October 12, 2015
Date of Completion: March 1, 2016
Point Value: 10 points
2. Attend the Discovery Education DENapalooza New Jersey!
This all day event will have formal presentations in the morning on topics like Digital
Storytelling, Project-Based Learning, and Building Your PLN with the DEN. Then, the
afternoon will be spent unconference style. Attendees will choose the topics and lead
the conversations with their peers. For more information about DENapalooza New
Jersey click here: http://denapalooza.weebly.com/sayreville-nj.html
Date of Completion: October 17, 2015
Point Value: 9 points
3. Create a commercial that highlights the benefits of the DEN.
After becoming a DEN STAR, participants can create a 20-30 second commercial that
walks fellow Edison Township teachers through the STAR application process.
Date of Completion: March 1, 2016
Point Value: 8 points
4. Participate in an Spotlight on Strategies “Smackdown!”
In an effort to share best practices, teachers will participate in an Instructional Strategy
“Smackdown!” where each teacher spends 3 minutes talking about, and demonstrating,
an instructional strategy that they have found to be effective for their students.
Click here to learn more about the Spotlight on Strategies . (http://bit.ly/1Fdqaal)
Date of Completion: February or March 2016
Point Value: 7 points
Roadmap to 40 : Elective Components
Level 2 Activities
1. Complete the monthly Discovery Education learning task
During the program, the Discovery Education Implementation Team will assign one task
per month for teachers to complete. Assignments are to be submitted before the monthly
check-in meeting to get points. Date of Completion: Check-in Before Each Monthly Meeting
Point Value: 2 points per assignment
2. Attend a Discovery Education Webinar
P ro g r a m p a r t i c i p a n t s c a n e a r n p o i n t s b y a t t e n d i n g o n e o f t h e f re e
Discovery Education Webinars. A monthly calendar of online events can be found here:
http://webinars.discoveryeducation.com/
Date of Completion: March 1, 2016
Point Value: 3 points per webinar
Roadmap to 40 : Elective Components
Level 3 Activities
1. Participate in the #DENchat on Twitter
The #DENchat brings people together on Twitter to discuss a weekly topic each
T h u r s d a y a t 8 p m E T. F o r a n o v e r v i e w o f Tw i t t e r c h e c k o u t :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QihQbOdno1I
Date of Completion: March 1, 2016
Point Value: 1 point per twitter chat
2. Join the Discovery Education Innovative Teacher Edmodo Group
Join the group and collaborate with other teachers nationwide who are using digital
resources to engage their students. To join the group go to EDMODO.COM, create
an account if you are new to EDMODO and use the group code: yxp4uw to become
a member of this growing community. For more information about Edmodo check
out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzPHQr1ONaA
Date of Completion: March 1, 2016
Point Value: 1 point
3.Register for one of Discovery Education’s Virtual Field Trips
Discovery Education offers a wide range of virtual field trips throughout the course of the
school year. From visits to the White House or The Tower of London to an egg farm, there
is something for just about every age and content area.
Click here to see a list of up and coming Virtual Field Trips (http://bit.ly/1if00tc) Check
back often because new opportunities are added all the time!
Date of Completion: March 1, 2016
Point Value: 1 points per virtual field trip
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I participate in the Discovery Education Innovative Teacher Program?
Specifically, the program will help participants:
•  Communicate with students more effectively through the use of Discovery
Education resources.
•  Engage students in learning with digital resources
•  Demonstrate knowledge of various resources from Discovery Education
•  Engage students outside of the classroom through assignments and
student research
•  Form a collaborative environment among Edison Township Public School
teachers
•  Continue their professional growth
How will I keep track of my points?
Teachers will keep track of their own progress to the goal of 40 points. Certain events will
have attendance taken, while others will be documented by teachers on their own. At the
end of the program, you will need to fill out a form that is provided by the Discovery
Education Implementation Team to document your activities.
What happens if I don’t get 40 points before the end of the program?
Participants must attain 40 points throughout the five-month program to receive a
certificate of completion. Those who do not reach this threshold will not be recognized as
a Discovery Education Innovative Teacher.
Can I participate in events even if I don’t sign up for the program?
All
Edison Township Public School Teachers are able to participate in Discovery
Education Innovative Teacher Program events, but will not receive a certificate at the end
of the program unless they sign up for the program and attain 40 points.
Whom should I contact with additional questions about the program?
Please contact your district’s Discovery Education Implementation Manager,
David Robbins, at David_Robbins@discovery.com
Can you tell me more about the format for the monthly meetings?
The monthly meetings will be hosted virtually by Discovery Education’s Instructional
Implementation Team. Time at each meeting will be spent on open Q&A, Reviewing
Teacher assignments, and Exploring new resources and strategies to use with Streaming
Plus.