AETN announces PBS LearningMedia Digital Innovators Program winners

AETN announces PBS LearningMedia Digital Innovators Program winners

Avondale teacher recognized as leader in class-room technology

AETN Media CONWAY — The Arkansas Educational Television Network has announced teachers throughout the state who have been chosen as 2016 PBS LearningMedia Digital Innovators. The program, now in its fourth year, recognizes tech-savvy K-12 educators who are serving as leaders in the education technology space and incorporating digital media in classrooms.

Mary Beth Hatch, EAST facilitator at Harrison Junior High School, was chosen as one of 52 Lead Digital Innovators in the U.S. and its territories. As one of the Lead Digital Innovators, Hatch will receive an all-expense paid trip to Denver, Colorado, to participate in the 2016 PBS LearningMedia Digital Summit and the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) conference.

“AETN is proud to recognize Ms. Hatch, who was chosen as a Lead Digital Innovator from a pool of talented and innovative educators from across the country who are using technology and digital media in the classroom,” AETN Executive Director Allen Weatherly said. “Ms. Hatch will represent AETN and the entire state as she continues to enhance her skills with these one-of-a-kind resources, tools and trainings from PBS LearningMedia.”

Vearlene Williamson, who teaches for the Marion School District at Avondale Elementary was also recognized as a regional 2016 PBS LearningMedia Digital Innovator. Other regional recipients were:

• Marisa Arnold, White County Central School District in Judsonia.

• Christina Cereghini, J.A. Fair High School of College and Career Academies in Little Rock.

• Amy Counts, Fountain Lake High School in Hot Springs.

• Michelle Moore, Hot Springs Intermediate.

• Dennis Pevey, eStem Public Charter School in Little Rock.

All Digital Innovators will receive year-long professional development opportunities that include virtual trainings, access to premium and exclusive resources from PBS LearningMedia Custom service, a free PBS TeacherLine professional development course, networking opportunities and more. PBS LearningMedia Digital Innovators will also receive ongoing support in their communities from AETN.

PBS LearningMedia received hundreds of applications from leading teachers throughout the U.S. and its territories. Judges selected the 52 educators from throughout the U.S, its territories and the District of Columbia, as Lead Innovators, representing almost every state and Washington, D.C., a first in the program's history. These educators exemplify excellence in using technology and digital media to support student learning.

As America's largest classroom, PBS offers digital content and services for teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade that help bring classroom lessons to life. PBS LearningMedia, a partnership of PBS and WGBH Educational Foundation, is a free and paid media-ondemand service offering educators access to the best of public media and delivers research-based, classroom- ready digital learning experiences to engage students in exploring curriculum concepts that align with national standards. Nationwide, more than 1.8 million teachers and users have registered access to more than 120,000 digital resources available through PBS LearningMedia. More information about PBS LearningMedia is available at pbslearningmedia.org.

From Tiffany Head