Jennifer Georgia, a library media specialist at Martin Elementary School, and Janet Vraney, a library media specialist at Langlade Elementary School, have earned the PBS Media Literacy Educator Certification, recognizing K-12 educators who demonstrate an ability to help learners think critically about media consumption and creation.

With support from PBS Wisconsin Education, Georgia and Vraney were participants in the 2023-24 PBS Media Literacy Educator Cohort. This cohort included 11 educators who were selected from a statewide call for applications. Through monthly virtual workshops and asynchronous collaboration, the group worked on building skills and submitting evidence for eight micro-credentials related to media literacy, including critically evaluating online sources and media, creating an online code of conduct for students, and making media for classroom use.

“PBS Certified Media Literacy Educators are adept at supporting students in making media, critically analyzing media, and using information and technology in meaningful ways,” said Nick Ostrem, education engagement specialist for PBS Wisconsin Education who led this year’s cohort.

The PBS Media Literacy Educator Certification by KQED received the 2019 Award of Excellence from Tech & Learning magazine and was a finalist in the 2020 EdTech Awards in the Badging & Credentialing category.

PBS Wisconsin is a service of the Educational Communications Board and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

PBS Wisconsin is a place to grow through learning on WHA-TV, Madison; WPNE-TV, Green Bay; WHRM-TV, Wausau; WLEF-TV, Park Falls; WHLA-TV, La Crosse; and WHWC-TV, Menomonie-Eau Claire.

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