Rhode Island PBS Announces Pawtucket Teacher Named to the PBS Kids 2021 Early Learning Champions Program
CJ Meehan recognized by Rhode Island PBS as a leader in the early education community
PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND (March 8, 2022) – Rhode Island PBS announces the selection of CJ Meehan as a PBS KIDS Early Learning Champion. The awards, established in 2018, recognize and celebrate passionate educators who work with the nation’s youngest students, from infants to second graders. Through the Early Learning Champions program, PBS KIDS and local PBS stations surround educators with professional learning and networking opportunities.
“We are very pleased Ms. Meehan was chosen as our station’s Early Learning Champion. We believe that she will be a great support to Rhode Island PBS Education Services as we increase our outreach and community engagement in greater Providence,” said David W. Piccerelli, president of Rhode Island PBS.
Ms. Meehan holds a Master’s degree in early childhood and a Master’s degree in elementary education, and has more than 11 years of experience working in the early childhood field. She has worked as a preschool and kindergarten educator for the last 8 years at the Henry Barnard Laboratory School (HBLS), located on the campus of Rhode Island College. She assumed a new role this winter as a director, educational coordinator, and lead teacher to help create a new laboratory school in partnership with the YMCA of Pawtucket and William M. Davies, Jr. Career & Technical High School.
Through her role as a preschool educator at HBLS, Ms. Meehan supported preschoolers in their educational journeys as well as mentored future early childhood educators at RIC. Within HBLS, Ms. Meehan served as chair of the Student Enrichment and Global Awareness Committees since 2014. As chair, Ms. Meehan brought many diverse educational workshops and presenters to the HBLS community. Ms. Meehan also served as a member of the Dialogue on Diversity and Inclusion Presidential Committee, and was a Divisional Representative of RIC’s Feinstein School of Education and Human Development of the campus-wide Diversity Committee.
“CJ will be a natural partner with Education Services as we continue to help young learners discover their capabilities,” said Jon Rubin, director of Rhode Island PBS Education Services.
Ms. Meehan was nominated to the PBS Kids Early Learning Champions program by Mayra Monterroso, coordinator of Family Literacy for Rhode Island PBS Education Services.
“One of the qualities that most sets CJ apart from her peers is her commitment to equity,” said Ms. Monterroso. “Her holistic approach takes into consideration the social and emotional development of the child, and she is passionate about her work in this field.” In her role as Early Learning Champion, Ms. Meehan will advise and collaborate with Rhode Island PBS Education Services as they design, expand, and implement early childhood programs.
“I am honored and excited by this opportunity to be a PBS Kids Early Learning Champion,” said CJ Meehan. “To be nominated brought so much validation and told me this is where I belong.”
Ms. Meehan continued, “My passion comes from my lived experiences, the faces that I see in my students. Every child, no matter what brain they have, or what differences they have, deserves amazing teachers that love them for who they are and see them as capable and confident with the gifts that they have. I look forward to bringing that sense of wonder and discovery to Rhode Island PBS,” Ms. Meehan said.
The PBS KIDS Early Learning Champions program includes early learning educators from various settings, including Pre-K, Head Start and early elementary teachers; center care providers and directors; museum and community educators; and home care providers and owners. The program represents the diverse teaching community impacting young learners today. As they continue to move through the uncharted territory of pandemic-impacted learning – including the proliferation of hybrid teaching environments – PBS KIDS and local PBS stations will support skill-building within the classroom, in-person and at-home, while encouraging these professionals to seek out their own personal and professional trajectories.
These Early Learning Champions also connect with educator networks across the nation, and further their commitments to their community’s families, education officials, and administrators through the utilization of PBS KIDS and local PBS stations tools and resources.
This year’s honorees were chosen for their passion and devotion to early education, strengthening the ecosystem in which children learn and innovating the teaching experience as we know it. Through the Early Learning Champions program, PBS KIDS aims to create a unique environment that includes professional learning and networking opportunities for educators, while fostering relationships between them and their local PBS stations.
The full list of this year’s PBS KIDS Early Learning Champions can be found here.
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About Rhode Island PBS
WSBE Rhode Island PBS is operated by the Rhode Island PBS Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. WSBE Rhode Island PBS is a viewer-supported member of the PBS network of public broadcasting stations, and uses the power of noncommercial media to educate, engage, enrich, inspire, and entertain viewers of all ages in Rhode Island, southeastern Massachusetts, and eastern Connecticut since 1967. WSBE-DT delivers content on two channels: Rhode Island PBS (digital 36.1), and Learn (digital 36.2). For more information about programs and education services at WSBE, visit ripbs.org.
About PBS KIDS
PBS KIDS believes the world is full of possibilities, and so is every child. As the number one educational media brand for kids, PBS KIDS helps children ages 2-8 learn lessons that last a lifetime. Through television, digital media, and community-based programs, PBS KIDS wants children to see themselves uniquely reflected and celebrated in lovable, diverse characters who serve as positive role models, and to explore their feelings and discover new adventures along the way. Families can watch PBS KIDS anytime on the free PBS KIDS 24/7 channel and the PBS KIDS Video app, available on mobile and connected-TV devices, no subscription required. PBS KIDS’ large collection of mobile apps and pbskids.org provide accessible content, including digital games and streaming video to spark kids’ curiosity. PBS KIDS and local stations across the country support the entire ecosystem in which children learn and grow – including their teachers, parents, and community – providing resources to support children’s learning, anytime and anywhere. For more information, visit pbs.org/pressroom, or follow PBS KIDS on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
