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PBS Kids Early Learning Champions

Meet NMPBS Early Learning Champion, Albuquerque Teacher Janalyn Maes

Jamalyn Maes and Kristen Valley and other crew pose for a photo in formalwear.

NMPBS congratulates Janalyn Maes of Hodgin Elementary School in Albuquerque, one of only 10 educators as the 2019 PBS KIDS Early Learning Champions. She received the award in November 2019 at the  National Association for the Education of Young Children Conference (November 14-16) in Nashville.

Established in 2018, the PBS Early Learning Champion awards program recognizes committed educators who work with young children, from infants to second graders, and offers a variety of community building, leadership and professional learning opportunities provided by NMPBS and PBS KIDS.

“Janalyn is passionate about teaching and we are excited to recognize her as a PBS Kids Early Learning Champion!” said NMPBS General Manager/CEO Franz Joachim. “This program is another way to inspire New Mexico teachers to use PBS Kids resources in the classroom and to help engage families to support their children’s learning at home.”

“I am very honored, surprised and of course excited about the opportunity to further my learning and to help my students, school and family,”  remarked Janalyn.

“Janalyn is a resourceful Albuquerque Public Schools teacher who went looking for ways to engage the families at Hodgin Elementary School and wound up an advocate for the wonderfully innovative – and free! – programs offered by NMPBS and PBS Kids,” said APS Superintendent Raquel Reedy. “We are proud of this second grade teacher and wish her the best as she continues to learn and grow as an Early Learning Champion.”

The PBS KIDS Early Learning Champions program includes various early learning caregivers – certified Pre-K, Head Start and early elementary teachers, childcare providers as well as family, friends and neighbors in early learning settings – representing, celebrating and supporting the diverse teaching community impacting young learners. With support from PBS KIDS and local PBS stations, including NMPBS, they will explore unique in-person and digital experiences, forge pathways for their own professional growth, build meaningful relationships with peers from across the country, create content and develop and implement their ideas in their communities and classrooms.

Learn more about the Early Learning Champion program

Leading by example: Janalyn Maes is named a PBS KIDS Early Learning Champion

About PBS Kids

PBS KIDS, the number one educational media brand for kids, offers children ages 2-8 the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television, digital media and community-based programs. PBS KIDS and local stations across the country support the entire ecosystem in which children learn, including their teachers, parents and community. Provided by stations, the free PBS KIDS 24/7 channel and live stream is available to more than 95% of U.S. TV households. Kidscreen- and Webby Award-winning pbskids.org provides engaging interactive content, including digital games and streaming video. PBS KIDS offers mobile apps to help support young children’s learning, including the PBS KIDS Video app, which is available on a variety of mobile devices and on platforms such as Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Samsung TV and Chromecast. PBS KIDS also offers parent and teacher resources to support children’s learning anytime and anywhere. For more information on PBS KIDS content and initiatives supporting school readiness and more, visit pbs.org/pressroom, or follow PBS KIDS on TwitterFacebook and Instagram.