Charlotte, NC (Wednesday,January21, 2026)—High schooleducatorsnow have access to free professional developmentcredential courses focusedon AI, cybersecurity, and digital literacy throughIBMSkillsBuild,IBM’s free global technology education program. Throughthe IBMandDiscoveryEducationcollaboration, educators gain free access to practical, workforce-aligned learning experiences and industry-recognized credentials designed to support instruction in emerging technologies. Over the next two years, the initiative is expected to reach up to 100,000 high school educators through Discovery Education’s professional learning network, with content structured to integrate seamlessly into existing professional development programs.
Research from theEducation Insights Report 2025-2026revealsthat only about half (53%) of teachers are optimistic about AI’spotential to support teaching and learning due tolack of clear guidance and professional development.Drawing on IBM’s leadership in technology and workforce development, IBMSkillsBuildoffers accessible learning pathways that combine interactive content, real-world applications, and credentials. These pathways enable educators to strengthen their understanding of AI and related technologies while building confidence in applying them in the classroom.
Through this collaboration, educators teaching grades 9-12 will gain access to:
- Free, self-paced learning modules in AI, cybersecurity, and digital literacy, all intentionally designed to fit into busy schedules.
- Industry‑recognized credentials fromCredlyand documentable professional development hours.
- Classroom-ready lesson plans grounded in real‑world applications and aligned to educator needs across an array of disciplines.
“IBMSkillsBuildis central toIBM’scommitmentto skill30 million peopleworldwide by 2030,” said Lydia Logan, Vice President, Global Education and Workforce Development at IBM. “Educators play a critical role in preparing students forthefuture ofwork. Through this collaboration with Discovery Education,we’rehelping teachers build practical, workforce-aligned skills in AI, cybersecurity, and digital literacy that can translate directly into classroom instruction and expanded opportunity for students.”
The collaboration leverages Discovery Education’s trusted reach and professional learningexpertiseto help scale access to IBMSkillsBuildacross the K–12 ecosystem, expanding opportunities for educators to engage with high-quality, relevant professional development and credentials.
“Emerging technologies, such as AI,havethe potential to support educators in delivering excellent instruction withlong-lastingimpact for students” said Catherine Dunlop, Senior Vice President of Corporate Partnerships at Discovery Education. “Educators need and want guidance,andthat’swhythis collaborationofferseducatorsindustry‑recognized credentials and practical insights.Togetherwith IBM,we are creating apowerful bridge for educators betweentransformativetechnologies and the daily realities of K-12 instruction.”
To accesstheIBMSkillsBuildprofessional development content, please visitskillsbuild.org.
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About DiscoveryEducation
Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leaderwhosestate-of-the-art, PreK-12 digital solutions help educators engage all students and support academic achievement.Through award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, and innovative classroom tools that are effective, engaging, and easy to use, DiscoveryEducationenableseducatorstodeliver powerful learning experiencesin 45% of U.S. K-12 schools andacross100+countries and territories. Through partnerships with districts, states, and trusted organizations, Discovery Education empowers teachers with essential solutions that inspire curiosity, build confidence, and accelerate learning.Learn more at www.discoveryeducation.com.
Contact
Joseph Brown
IBM
Email:Joseph.Brown4@ibm.com
Grace Maliska
Discovery Education
Email:gmaliska@discoveryed.com
