Discovery Education Names 2014 DEN Gurus

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.

About the Author

Christopher Piehler is the former editor-in-chief of THE Journal.

Featured

  • classroom scene with students gathered around a laptop showing a virtual tour interface

    Discovery Education Announces Spring Lineup of Free Virtual Field Trips

    This Spring, Discovery Education is collaborating with partners such as Warner Bros., DC Comics, National Science Foundation, NBA, and more to present a series of free virtual field trips for K-12 students.

  • glowing padlock shape integrated into a network of interconnected neon-blue lines and digital nodes, set against a soft, blurred geometric background

    3 in 4 Administrators Expect a Security Incident to Impact Their School This Year

    In an annual survey from education identity platform Clever, 74% of administrators admitted that they believe a security incident is likely to impact their school system in the coming year. That's up from 71% who said the same last year.

  • horizontal stack of U.S. dollar bills breaking in half

    ED Abruptly Cancels ESSER Funding Extensions

    The Department of Education has moved to close the door on COVID relief funding for schools, declaring that "extending deadlines for COVID-related grants, which are in fact taxpayer funds, years after the COVID pandemic ended is not consistent with the Department’s priorities and thus not a worthwhile exercise of its discretion."

  • pattern of icons for math and reading, including a pi symbol, calculator, and open book

    HMH Launches Personalized Path Solution

    Adaptive learning company HMH has introduced HMH Personalized Path, a K-8 ELA and math product that combines intervention curriculum, adaptive practice, and assessment for students of all achievement levels.