PBS KIDS Announces Early Learning Champions Program, Recognizing Passionate Educators of Young Children

New Awards Program to Offer 17 Early Childhood Teachers and Care Providers Professional Learning Opportunities Over the Next Two Years

Arlington, VA, November 14, 2018 - Today, PBS KIDS named 17 educators as PBS KIDS Early Learning Champions. This new awards program recognizes committed educators who work with young children, from infants to second graders, and will offer a variety of community building, leadership and professional learning opportunities provided by PBS and member stations over the next two years. The program kicks off this week, when the PBS KIDS Early Learning Champions will participate in the NAEYC Conference (November 14-16), be recognized at an awards ceremony (November 16) and attend the inaugural PBS KIDS Early Learning Champions Summit (November 17).

At PBS KIDS, we're committed to helping children succeed in kindergarten and in life by engaging the entire ecosystem in which they learn, said Sara Schapiro, Vice President, PBS Education. Early educators play a critical role in this community, but are rarely recognized for their tremendous contributions to our youngest learners. We are excited to honor, connect and applaud these important teachers and care providers through the PBS KIDS Early Learning Champions program.

The PBS KIDS Early Learning Champions cohort is made up of various early learning caregivers - including certified Pre-K, Head Start and early elementary teachers, childcare providers as well as family, friends and neighbors in early learning settings - representing, celebrating and supporting the diverse teaching community impacting young learners. They were selected for their passion and commitment to early education. They have each demonstrated outstanding impact in supporting the growth and learning of the whole child, strengthening the learning ecosystem, and creating unique and innovative teaching experiences. Through the Early Learning Champions program, PBS KIDS aims to create a community that includes professional learning and networking opportunities for educators, while fostering relationships between them and their local PBS stations.

The 2018 PBS KIDS Early Learning Champions include:

Andrea Zoppo, Little Ones Learning Center, Forest Park, Georgia (GPB)

Avonda Ellison, Laugh-n-Learn Center, Salisbury, Maryland (MPT)

Carmen Espinosa, Little Peoples Academy, Inc., Dover, New Jersey (WNET)

Cora McNair, New St. Paul Head Start Agency, Inc., Detroit, Michigan (DPTV)

Natalie Beach, Prescott South Elementary School, Cookeville, Tennessee (WCTE)

Robbie Rose, East Baton Rouge Parish Schools, Baton Rouge, Louisiana LPB)

Roshanna Beard, Apalachee Tapestry Magnet School of the Arts, Tallahassee, Florida (WFSU)

Shelly Bautista, Carson Street Elementary School (LAUSD), Carson, California (PBS SoCal)

Susanne Tata, Alamo Heights Presbyterian Day School, San Antonio, Texas (KLRN)

Tara Haynes, Pine Mountain Settlement School, Bledsoe, Kentucky (KET)

Tina Mosley, Our Daycare & Learning Center, North County, Missouri (Nine Network)

Traci Piltz, Billings Public Schools, Billings, Montana (Montana PBS)

William Tolliver Jr., Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (WQED)

Doniell Elmore-Murray, Creative Corner Child Care, Inc., Dayton, Ohio (Think TV)

Angela Hamilton, Harris Elementary School, Las Vegas, Nevada (Vegas PBS)

Graciela (Grace) Munoz Villegas, Spanish for Fun Academy, Chapel Hill, North Carolina (UNCTV)

Jamal Berry, Educare, Washington, DC (WHUT)

About PBS KIDS

PBS KIDS, the number one educational media brand for kids, offers children ages 2-8 the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television, digital media and community-based programs. PBS KIDS and local stations across the country support the entire ecosystem in which children learn, including their teachers, parents and community. Provided by stations, the free PBS KIDS 24/7 channel and live stream is available to more than 95% of U.S. TV households. Kidscreen- and Webby Award-winning pbskids.org provides engaging interactive content, including digital games and streaming video. PBS KIDS offers mobile apps to help support young children's learning, including the PBS KIDS Video app, which is available on a variety of mobile devices and on platforms such as Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV and Chromecast. PBS KIDS also offers parent and teacher resources to support children's learning anytime and anywhere. For more information on PBS KIDS content and initiatives supporting school readiness and more, visit pbs.org/pressroom, or follow PBS KIDS on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Contacts:

Lubna Abuulbah, PBS KIDS; 703-739-8463; labuulbah@pbs.org

Olivia Gust, Allison+Partners; 503-290-7304; PBS@allisonpr.com

LINK:	http://www.pbs.org/about/blogs/news/pbs-kids-announces-early-learning-...
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