PRESIDENT OBAMA TO CONNECT WITH STUDENTS NATIONWIDE ON THE IMPORTANCE OF READING AND DIGITAL LITERACY AS CRITICAL SKILLS IN LATEST VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP FROM DISCOVERY EDUCATION AND THE WHITE HOUSE

—  ‘Read to Discover a World of Infinite Possibilities’ to be Broadcast Nationwide from Anacostia Neighborhood Library in Washington, D.C. on April 30, 2015 at 10:40 a.m. EST —

SILVER SPRING, Md. [April 30, 2015] – Discovery Education, the leading provider of digital content and professional development for K-12 classrooms, and the White House announced today that on Thursday, April 30 at 10:40 AM EST,  President Obama will connect with students nationwide on the importance of reading in the latest installment of the Of the People: Live from the White House Virtual Field Trip series.  This edition, to be broadcast live from Anacostia Neighborhood Library in Washington, D.C., focuses on improving literacy, expanding digital learning, and the ConnectED initiative’s efforts to make books and libraries more accessible to children nationwide.

Entitled “Read to Discover a World of Infinite Possibilities,” the event will feature 6th-grader Osman Yaya who will interview President Obama on his favorite books and love of reading.  Yaya, a student at Wicomico County Public Schools’ Bennett Middle School in Salisbury, Md., will be joined by a live audience of students from Kramer Middle School and Brightwood Education Campus in Washington, D.C.  To register for this event or submit questions for President Obama to answer during the webinar, please visit: www.discoveryeducation.com/Live/of-the-people-a-conversation-with-president-obama.cfm.

“I appreciate President Obama taking the time to participate in this Virtual Field Trip,” said Dacia Jones, District Science Specialist, North Carolina’s Durham Public Schools. “By shining a bright spotlight on the importance of reading, he reinforces a message I share with students each day.”

Discovery Education and the White House’s Virtual Field Trip series, “Of the People: Live from the White House,” takes students behind the scenes to meet the people, places and issues that shape and inform our world. To date, participating students have experienced an inside look at the art and history of the White House with curator William Allman; a 21st century digital classroom with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan; the Let’s Move! initiative and cooking lesson with Sam Kass;  a cultural exchange featuring First Lady Michelle Obama in China; and Constitution Day with Archivist of the United States, David S. Ferriero. Each Virtual Field Trip session is supported with digital video and other learning resources to encourage and enhance student engagement.

“We are honored to have President Obama participate in this installment of the Of the People Virtual Field Trip series,” said Bill Goodwyn, president and CEO, Discovery Education. “Improving literacy and instilling in all students a love of reading is critical in creating a nation of lifelong learners.  We thank the President for his efforts to support the success of all students.”

For more information on this webinar series and other services and initiatives from Discovery Education, visit www.discoveryeducation.com.