ARLINGTON, VA, March 21, 2017 – PBS announced today that education leader Sara Schapiro has been named Vice President, Education. She will report to Lesli Rotenberg, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Children’s Media and Education.
“PBS is dedicated to using the power of media to help set our nation’s students on a path to success and lifelong learning,” said Rotenberg. “We are thrilled to have Sara bring her talents to our team as we build on PBS’ leadership in education, leveraging our trusted, research-based content and partnering with our member stations and other like-minded organizations to spark learning across America.”
“I am excited to support and inspire powerful teaching and learning for every student by partnering with PBS stations and educators around the country, and by expanding access to PBS’ proven educational content through partnerships that enable us to serve as a trusted ally to even more teachers and students,” said Schapiro.
In her new role, Schapiro will lead PBS’ efforts to deepen partnerships across the education sector by engaging directly with educator communities and launching new initiatives that empower and support students, educators, parents and member stations. She will pursue opportunities to expand PBS’ educational impact through PBS LearningMedia, a digital platform of classroom-ready PBS resources aligned to curriculum standards, and through PBS Digital Innovators, a community of PreK-12 educators who are thought leaders and classroom change-makers, among other initiatives.
Schapiro has emerged as a prominent voice in the transformation of American education through innovation and technology. Most recently, she helped found Digital Promise, an independent, bipartisan nonprofit whose mission is to spur innovation and improve all Americans’ opportunity to learn. Schapiro launched and led Digital Promise’s flagship initiative, the League of Innovative Schools, a national coalition of public school districts that fosters collaboration among educators, entrepreneurs, researchers and thought partners.
Prior to Digital Promise, Schapiro worked for the New York City Department of Education, Chicago Public Schools, the New Jersey Department of Education and Pearson on pioneering teaching and learning projects, educational technology initiatives and teacher and student engagement efforts. She holds a B.A. from Duke University and a Master’s of Public Policy from the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy Studies.
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 12th 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.
Contacts:
Maria Vera Whelan, PBS; mverawhelan@pbs.org, 703.739.3225
Caitlin Melnick, 360 Public Relations; CMelnick@360PR.com, 617-585-5775
