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SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT NETWORK |
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February 2, 2010 This is Rob Brough, Zions Bank, speaking on business. The Linton family has always felt the importance of assisting educators. In 1991, Chet and Joan Linton and Chet's parents, John and Blanch, founded a video publication called “The Video Journal of Education,” which is designed to help teachers increase their effectiveness. The products were warmly received and operated successfully for many years. However, three years ago, Chet became frustrated that schools weren't embracing the online tools as much as he felt they could. He started looking for a new way to train teachers and administrators with built-in flexibility, and the result was a product called PD360. PD360 gives educators access to on-demand video content to help improve their teaching methods. The Lintons' company, Midvale-based School Improvement Network, has four major concentrations: 1) PD360, an online professional development resource; 2) a high-touch learning framework to work with schools and teachers to take more responsibility for student learning; 3) an equity and diversity program to help teachers successfully meet the needs of every student; and 4) support resources, such as video journals and books, that can be integrated with programs a school may already have in place. Chet tells me PD360 is the largest teacher network in the country with more than 500,000 educators actively enrolled. Chet and his brothers, Cory and Curtis, are in the process of buying out their parents. They have shifted the focus of the School Improvement Network to meet the diverse needs of teachers nationally by working with developing technologies that offer ways to improve effectiveness. The Lintons have also focused on refining the company's systems and processes so it can continue to grow and excel. School Improvement Network has grown at a rate of 60-70 percent per year for the last four years. Chet says PD360 is quickly becoming the operating system for professional development in schools. The company is distinguished by its passionate, dedicated work force and ability to quickly adapt to the market's technological shifts. For Zions Bank, I'm Rob Brough. I'm speaking on business. School Improvement Network |
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