KQED Teacher Ambassadors Selected as 2022 PBS Digital Innovator All-Stars

KQED is pleased to announce Ken Kusactay from John Henry High School in Richmond, California as a member of the 2022 class of educators selected for the PBS Digital Innovator All-Star Program – honoring classroom changemakers who offer fresh ideas and bold approaches to supporting their students’ growth and learning. Nominated by their local PBS stations, 20 educators were chosen from across the country.

Ken is a certified PBS Media Literacy Educator and a KQED Media Literacy Innovator, KQED’s local teacher recognition program. As an emerging media literacy leader, Ken co-facilitates professional development workshops with KQED and is a KQED Youth Takeover teacher where he supports his students to create media for KQED’s general audiences. He is a high-impact, bold educator and strong advocate of youth voice.

Ken is one of three KQED Media Literacy Innovators to join the 2022 PBS All-Star cohort. Jim Bentley (KVIE) and Bob Kelly (Valley PBS) are also enthusiastic leaders of media literacy, student voice and youth civic engagement. They have worked with KQED for a number of years to enhance teaching and learning in both face-to-face and virtual settings in their classrooms and wider school communities.

The PBS Digital Innovator All-Star program brings together a community of PreK-12th grade educators–like Ken, Jim and Bob–who are innovators and leaders both in and outside of the classroom. Specifically, Digital Innovator All-Stars are selected from a cohort of educators who are doing extraordinary work supporting student learning by integrating media and digital technology in their teaching environments and inspiring students to use these tools in responsible, effective and empowering ways.

“We are thrilled that Ken, Jim and Bob are joining the 2022 PBS Digital Innovator All-Star cohort! Their innovative approach to teaching and enthusiasm for meeting students where they are is matched only by their positive energy and genuine dedication. We are excited for them to have this opportunity.” –Almetria Vaba, Director of Partnerships and Distribution, KQED

In partnership with their local PBS stations, Ken, Jim and Bob will spend the 2022-2023 school year deepening engagement among students, families, educators, schools and their communities.

The full list of the 2022 PBS Digital Innovator All-Stars and their profiles can be found here.

Learn more about the KQED Media Literacy Innovators teacher ambassador program.

About KQED
KQED is a nonprofit, public-supported alternative to commercial media. An NPR and PBS affiliate based in San Francisco, KQED is home to one of the most listened-to public radio stations in the nation, one of the highest-rated public television services and an award-winning education program helping students and educators thrive in 21st-century classrooms. A trusted news source and leader and innovator in interactive technology, KQED takes people of all ages on journeys of exploration—exposing them to new people, places and ideas.

About PBS
PBS, with more than 330 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and digital content. Each month, PBS reaches over 126 million people through television and 26 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 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 by following PBS Pressroom on Twitter.