Professional Learning | News

Discovery Education Names 2014 DEN Gurus

• By Christopher Piehler
• 06/04/14

Discovery Education has announced that five distinguished educators from across the country have been named 2014 Discovery Educator Network (DEN) Gurus. The DEN Guru program recognizes educators who are transforming teaching and learning with digital content and educational technologies. Supported by Discovery Education, the DEN is a global community of education professionals who are passionate about transforming the learning experience with digital media.

Discovery frequently calls on the DEN Gurus to share their expertise during virtual conferences, monthly webinars and pre-conference events. DEN Gurus are chosen for their expertise, spirit of collaboration and advocacy for the integration of digital content and educational technology into classroom instruction.To be considered for the honor, applicants must be STAR Discovery Educators.

The 2014 DEN Gurus are the following:
 
Dacia Jones is an area instructional facilitator with Durham Public Schools (NC) and has been teaching for 20 years. She is a National Schools Attuned Trainer and Math Foundations Trainer. 

Alexander (Sandy) MacDougall has been an educator for nearly 30 years. He taught a wide variety of subjects while he worked in an alternative high school and then taught primarily English, science and healthy living while teaching seventh grade. For the last several years, MacDougall has been working centrally as a technology integration leader at Halifax Regional School Board, Nova Scotia. 

Sandi Dennis is a library media and instructional technology specialist in City Schools of Decatur (GA) a charter district just outside Atlanta. She works with students, teachers, and families to help integrate media in print and electronic formats into their educational experiences. She designs instruction, online courses, training materials and training presentations. Recently, Dennis helped coordinate a 1-to-1 iPad program that earned an Apple Distinguished School award, joined the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's Cybersafety Educator Team and was accepted as a presenter at ISTE in Atlanta. 

Dave Tchozewski is in his 27th year in education. After 22 years in the high school math classroom, he moved into his current role as director of information technology for Jenison Public Schools (MI). He now leads his district in providing access to appropriate technology services that positively impact teaching and learning.

Dennis Grice is a K-8 technology teacher at St. John's Lutheran School in Orange, CA. He is a STAR Discovery Educator and leadership council member and a peer coaching workshop facilitator. He has shared his passion for integrating technology into curriculum at workshops and conferences across the country.