Public Television Inspires Teachers to Ignite the Love of Learning

Public Television Inspires Teachers to Ignite the Love of Learning

Governor David A. Paterson, Google's CEO Eric Schmidt, Bill Gates, Sr., Alan Alda, Danica McKellar and the new cast of Sesame Workshop's The Electric Company Join THIRTEEN and WLIW21 to Invigorate Educators

NEW YORK, March 5 /PRNewswire/ -- During these tough economic times when education budgets are being slashed across the country, it is more important than ever to recognize the value of teachers and the vital role they play in preparing America's next generation to successfully compete in a global economy. THIRTEEN, the nation's flagship PBS station, and WLIW21 will provide a forum for the world's best thinkers and practitioners to come together and join in the conversation to improve the education of our nation's students at the fourth annual Celebration of Teaching & Learning conference, which kicked off today in New York City at the Hilton New York.

The Celebration, a premier professional development conference, is where over 8,000 teachers, school administrators, business leaders, and policymakers come together to play a role in shaping the future of schools by participating in two days worth of panel discussions, over 100 workshops, and keynote addresses from international and national experts. Speaking directly to the needs of educators and parents, this year's conference will focus on literacy, math, science, global awareness, Autism, English Language Learners, technology, and whole school policy.

"Teachers are facing increased demands to raise student achievement with fewer resources and less dollars. When the pressures on teachers are the greatest; that's when we need to ensure that they have the best resources and support to educate our students to new levels," said Ron Thorpe, Vice President and Director of Education of THIRTEEN. "Public television believes that by exposing teachers to leading experts, showcasing the latest in technology and trends in education and providing a platform for educators to join in the conversation to improve education, the Celebration will be a place where knowledge meets inspiration."

Keeping with its tradition, the Celebration will host an incredible array of noted speakers including Governor David A. Paterson, who will give special remarks, Google Chairman and CEO, Eric Schmidt, who will be interviewed by Charlie Rose on the future of technology; the award-winning actor, director, best-selling author, and host of the new PBS production "The Human Spark," Alan Alda; and the world's most recognized autistic scholar and New York Times bestselling author, Temple Grandin. Other keynote speakers include actress and math enthusiast, Danica McKellar; internationally-recognized author in the development of creativity, Sir Kenneth Robinson; chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates, Sr.; and the new cast of Sesame Workshop's The Electric Company, which will focus on early childhood literacy. The Celebration will also feature prominent education leaders including Dennis Van Roekel, Randi Weingarten, John Wilson, Richard C. Iannuzzi, Joel I. Klein, Geoffrey Canada, Lucille Davy and Pedro Noguera.

"Public television's mission is to provide educational content to inspire our viewers to seek knowledge," said Neal Shapiro, President and Chief Executive Officer of WNET.ORG. "By delivering a world-class conference that meets the needs of our nation's K-12 educators, attendees of this year's Celebration will leave with a renewed passion for teaching and with lessons that will resonate for years to come."

For a complete schedule, please visit, www.thirteencelebration.org.
Follow the Celebration on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Celebration2009

Thirteen and WLIW21 gratefully acknowledge sponsorship support from Founding Sponsor: Chase; Premier Sponsors: National Education Association (NEA), New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), SMART Technologies/Tequipment, United Federation of Teachers (UFT); Major Sponsors: The Council of School Supervisors and Administrators and Executive Leadership Institute (CSA/ELI), DELL, Inc., Educational Testing Services (ETS), Fordham University Graduate School of Education, New Jersey Education Association (NJEA), Pearson Education; Presenting Sponsors: Adelphi University, Adobe Youth Voices, Cisco Systems, Google, Teachers College Columbia University, Verizon Foundation; Event Sponsors: Barnes & Noble, Emblem Health, New York State Federation of School Administrators (NYSFSA), NYU Steinhardt; and Media Sponsor: Education Week.

ABOUT THIRTEEN

THIRTEEN, a member of the WNET.ORG family of companies, is America's most-watched public television station and a major producer of public media for national and international audiences. Through such acclaimed series as Nature, Great Performances, American Masters, Charlie Rose, Wide Angle, NOW on PBS, Bill Moyers Journal, and Cyberchase - as well as unique local programming, web content and educational outreach - THIRTEEN's mission is to serve New York City, America and the world with media experiences that inform, enlighten and inspire.

ABOUT WLIW21

WLIW21, a WNET.ORG station, is an innovator in broadcasting, production and distribution for public television. A leading producer of fundraising programming for PBS, WLIW21 brings US audiences the popular Visions aerial series, cultural documentaries, self-help and performance specials. WLIW21's groundbreaking independent distribution model brings US audiences the new, international newscast Worldfocus, as well as the weekly series Consuelo Mack WealthTrack, Wild Chronicles and Moment of Luxury. WLIW21 also presents nationally the children's series Miffy and Friends. WLIW21 serves the entire New York City metro area and earns the distinction of third most-watched in the country. The station is a destination for viewers of all ages, featuring public television favorites, enhanced by a rich local public affairs lineup, and innovative educational and multimedia projects. Two digital channels, WLIW Create and WLIW World, offer more public television favorites 24/7. For more information, visit wliw.org.

Source: Thirteen/WNET

CONTACT: Nicolle Grayson of Widmeyer Communications, +1-301-758-1602,
Nicolle.Grayson@widmeyer.com

Web Site: http://www.thirteencelebration.org/

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