PBS Announces Educators Selected For Inaugural Digital Innovator All-Star Program

PBS Press Release: Program recognizes 30 teachers nominated by their local PBS stations as leaders in their education communities

Arlington, VA, March 14, 2018 – Today, PBS announced the educators selected for the first PBS Digital Innovator All-Star Program. Nominated by their local PBS stations, 30 educators were chosen from across the country, representing 28 states and Puerto Rico. Each of the Digital Innovator All-Stars was selected from a cohort of extraordinary educators who are doing innovative work in their schools and districts, and were previously recognized as part of the PBS Digital Innovator Program, which began in 2013.

The PBS Digital Innovator All-Star program expands on this influential work, deepening these educators’ roles as leaders in integrating technology and digital media into the classroom —supporting students’ learning through increasingly important media literacy skills.

“PBS is committed to recognizing and celebrating educators for the immeasurable work they do in their communities,” said Sara Schapiro, Vice President of Education, PBS. “We have been continually impressed with our PBS Digital Innovators and were truly in awe of the nominations we received for this All-Star program — so much so that we expanded the number of awardees. We’re excited to see the new and inventive ways these educators will support students’ learning through this program.”

PBS Digital Innovator All-Stars will spend the 2018-2019 school year deepening engagement among students, families, educators, schools and their local PBS stations. As an exclusive part of the program, they will have access to virtual and in-person events, including the PBS Digital Innovator All-Star Summit, to connect and learn with their peers and station representatives from across the country.

The PBS Digital Innovator All-Stars were chosen based on a variety of criteria, including passion for their role as an educator, outcomes from their time as PBS Digital Innovators, connections to their communities and service to under-resourced families.

Below is a list of the 2018 PBS Digital Innovator All-Stars and their local PBS stations; their profiles and photographs can be found here.

Leah Aiwohi, Lihue, HI (PBS Hawaii)
Kristin Appiah-Word, Chicago, IL (WTTW)
Steve Auslander, Indianapolis, IN (WFYI)
Elisabeth Bostwick, Horseheads, NY (WSKG)
Laura Bradley, Petaluma, CA (KQED)
Sebastian Byers, Monroe, NC (WTVI)
Vinny Chiaramonte, Hoover, AL (Alabama Public Television)
Sharon Clark, Brownsville, TN (WLJT)
Kayla Delzer, Mapleton, ND (Prairie Public)
Michelle Garmon, Rio Rancho, NM (New Mexico PBS)
Heather Gauck, Grand Rapids, MI (WGVU)
Leigh Herman, Atlanta, GA (GPB)
Shawn Patrick Higgins, Portland, OR (SOPTV)
Julie Hildebrand, Austin, TX (KLRU)
Joquetta Johnson, Randallstown, MD (MPT)
Ashley Judd, Tyner, KY (KET)
Mike Lang, Las Vegas, NV (Vegas PBS)
Glenda Lozada, Naranjito, PR (WMTJ)
Chantell Mason, St. Louis, MO (Nine Network)
Aaron Maurer, Bettendorf, IA (Iowa Public Television)
Mallory Mbalia, Raleigh, NC (UNC-TV)
Jared Morgan, Sand Springs, OK (OETA)
David Olson, Madison, WI (Wisconsin PTV)
Regina Schaffer, Farmingdale, NY (WNET/WLIW)
Paige Somoza, Boise, ID (Idaho Public Television)
Shelly Stanton, Billings, MT (Montana PBS)
Roberta Starling, Land O Lakes, FL, (WEDU)
Debra Turchetti-Ramm, Johnston, RI (Rhode Island PBS)
Kara Wilkins, Lowell, MA (WGBH)
Larissa Wright, Anchorage, AK (Alaska Public Media)

About PBS
PBS, with nearly 350 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and digital content. Each month, PBS reaches nearly 100 million people through television and nearly 28 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’ broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12^th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. Decades of research confirms that PBS’ premier children’s media service, PBS KIDS, helps children build critical literacy, math and social-emotional skills, enabling them to find success in school and life. Delivered through member stations, PBS KIDS offers high-quality educational content on TV – including a new 24/7 channel, online at pbskids.org, via an array of mobile apps and in communities across America. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook or through our apps for mobile and connected devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Pressroom on Twitter.

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