Local Guidance Counselor and Ready to Learn Partner Recognized by WQED as a Leader in the Washington County Early Education Community
PITTSBURGH – WQED has announced Jennifer Ford, a guidance counselor at Wylandville Elementary School, as one of the 14 early education professionals named to the 2023 honorees of the PBS KIDS Early Learning Champions program. The awards, established in 2018, recognize and celebrate passionate educators who work with the nation’s youngest students, from infants to second graders. Through the Early Learning Champions program, PBS KIDS and local PBS stations, including WQED, surround educators with professional learning and networking opportunities.
Wylandville Elementary School, part of the Canon-McMillan School District and based in Washington County, is a 2020-2025 WQED Ready to Learn partner. The Ready to Learn initiative connects partners in a community to support the learning of children and families using PBS resources.The PBS KIDS Early Learning Champions program, which has recognized 52 passionate educators of young children since its inception, including this year’s honorees, includes various early learning educators, including Pre-K and special education teachers; childcare center owners and directors; librarians and family literacy specialists; community and parent educators; and school counselors. The program represents the diverse community impacting young learners today.
Supported by the CPB-PBS Ready to Learn Initiative, this year’s cohort will work on national co-design projects, such as professional development resources for educators, and everyday learning resources for families while also supporting Learning Neighborhood work across the country.PBS KIDS and local PBS stations will also provide support in skill-building within the classroom, in-person and at-home, while encouraging these professionals to seek out their own personal and professional trajectories. These Early Learning Champions will also connect with education networks across the nation, and further their commitments to their community’s families, education officials, and administrators through the utilization of PBS KIDS and local PBS stations tools and resources. A full list of the 2023 PBS KIDS Early Learning Champions can be found here.
About WQED
WQED Multimedia starts conversations and creates experiences that educate, entertain and inspire our neighbors in Pittsburgh and across southwest Pennsylvania. Founded in 1954 as an experiment in educational community-supported television, WQED was a forerunner to PBS.
Our content creators produce impactful stories that delve into the rich mosaic of our region’s past, present, and future. We cover a wide range of topics, from arts and culture to pressing societal issues like opioid addiction. We profile remarkable individuals and organizations who work to strengthen our communities. Our Learning Neighborhoods support children, in partnership with area schools and libraries, and extend to high school students exploring media careers through the WQED Film Academy. Known as “The Voice of the Arts,” WQED-FM provides a vital platform that amplifies our vibrant and diverse cultural assets, including the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
WQED Multimedia operates WQED-TV (PBS); WQED World; WQED Create; WQED Showcase; WQED PBS KIDS Channel; Classical WQED-FM 89.3/Pittsburgh; Classical WQEJ-FM 89.7/Johnstown; the Pittsburgh Concert Channel; plus various streams, apps, and interactive experiences.
About PBS KIDS
PBS KIDS believes the world is full of possibilities, and so is every child. As the number one educational media brand for kids, PBS KIDS helps children ages 2-8 learn lessons that last a lifetime. Through media and community-based programs, PBS KIDS wants children to see themselves uniquely reflected and celebrated in lovable, diverse characters who serve as positive role models, and to explore their feelings and discover new adventures along the way. Families can stream PBS KIDS for free anytime, no subscription required. A large collection of mobile apps and pbskids.org provide accessible content that spark kids’ curiosity. PBS KIDS and local stations across the country support the entire ecosystem in which children learn and grow – including their teachers and caregivers, parents, and community – providing resources accessible anytime and anywhere. For more information, visit pbs.org/pressroom, or follow PBS KIDS on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
The contents of this release were developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. The project is funded by a Ready To Learn grant (PR/Award No. S295A200004, CFDA No. 84.295A) provided by the Department of Education to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.