WFSU Public Media is proud to announce Roshanna Beard from Apalachee Tapestry Magnet School of the Arts as a PBS KIDS Early Learning Champion. This new awards program recognizes committed educators who work with infants to second-graders. It offers a variety of community building, leadership and professional learning opportunities provided by PBS and member stations over the next two years.
PBS KIDS Early Learning Champions participated in the National Association for the Education of Young Children Conference (November 14-16). Attendees were recognized at an awards ceremony November 16 and participated in the inaugural PBS KIDS Early Learning Champions Summit November 17.
As an early learning champion, Beard will get the oppunty to advise PBS on educational content for children.
“Roshanna Beard is the epitome of a PBS KIDS educator and innovator," says WFSU Education & Engagement Coodinator Hannah Power. "She goes above and beyond for her students, ensuring that each has same opportunities to learn and grow as their neighbors across Tallahassee.
Power says she met Beard while WFSU was implementing an afterschool program with Apalachee students.
“Roshanna ultimately… and single-handedly, equipped all of the tablets with the PBS KIDS ScratchJR app, thereby introducing hundreds of students to coding! We’re so thrilled to continue to work with Roshanna on our PBS KIDS projects, and that she’s now a part of this special new cohort of educators from across the nation.”
"The beauty of this program is it gives teachers from across the U.S. an opportunity to interface with one another," says WFSU's Director of Content & Community Engagement Kim Kelling.
Beard received the Innovative STEM Education Award at the Early Learning Champions awards ceremony, highlighting her work as a Media Specialist at Apalachee Elementary School, where she works to bring quality PBS KIDS resources to her students every week.
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.
The full list of the 2018 PBS KIDS Early Learning Champions, their profiles and photographs can be found here. We are looking forward to working closely with Roshanna in the years to come!
WFSU would also like to recognize our local WFSU Early Learning Champions: Michelle Pitts, Wakulla County and Ruth Hinson, Gadsden County – both of these extraordinary educators have been part of our WFSU education family for years. Each has taught "Super Why" Summer reading camps and has incorporated additional PBS Kids programs and resources into their classrooms with wonderful outcomes.
About WFSU
As the PBS and NPR broadcast station for 24 North Florida and South Georgia counties, WFSU Public Media enriches lives and cultivates diverse perspectives by connecting our community through content and services that inform, educate, and entertain. Beyond providing quality programming including original television and radio content such as Local Routes and Perspectives On the Air, WFSU's Education & Engagement department hosts educational programs for students, families, and educators year-round.
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.
Media Contacts:
Hannah Power, WFSU Education & Engagement Coordinator; 850-645-6027; hpower@fsu.edu
Tasha Weinstein, WFSU Education & Engagement Manager; 850-645-6062; tweinstein@fsu.edu
