TEACHING CHANNEL PRESENTS to Premiere on WLIW & Thirteen, 9/23

The sophomore season, featuring new videos from Teaching Channel (Tch) online airs weekly beginning on Sunday, September 23, 2012 at 5:00 a.m. (ET) on WLIW WORLD and Saturday, September 29, 2012  at 6:00 a.m. (ET) on THIRTEEN,9:00 a.m. (ET) on WLIW 21 and 1:00 p.m. (ET) on NJTV (check local listings).  The premiere episode, which was produced in conjunction with the New Teacher Center, looks at the challenges facing new teachers.        

Sarah Brown Wessling, the Teacher Laureate at Tch and the 2010 National Teacher of the Year, serves as host.

After broadcast, the segments that comprise each episode – along with ancillary materials – will be available at teachingchannel.org.  In addition, THIRTEEN will issue a monthly newsletter recommending digital resources and in-depth lessons related to each episode via VITAL on PBS LearningMedia.  These will be provided to colleague stations for their local teaching communities.  

Since its inaugural season, Teaching Channel Presents has helped introduce Tch's video platform to a growing number of teachers across the country.  The site now has an online video library that features more than 500 videos – many of which are tagged to The Common Core State Standard.  In August 2012, the website received more than 160,000 unique visitors, and Tch now has more than 55,000 registered users in its online community. 

Through observational and character-driven stories, teachers can learn from their peers' hands-on experience about such topics as how they might tackle tough issues in the classroom, teach students to become good digital citizens, and incorporate arts into their curriculums.

The first 10 episodes are as follows (check local airdates):

Episode 1

The New Teacher Experience: Follow two teachers in Los Angeles, CA for an intimate look at what the experience is really like.  Many beginning teachers in America are given keys to their classroom and left to sink or swim in isolation, but, with the support of mentors, these teachers persevere through the trials and tribulations of their first year of teaching.  Produced in conjunction with the New Teacher Center, one of the nation's foremost authorities on successful new teacher induction.

Episode 2

Bullying at School: A look at three innovative approaches to tackling the serious issue of bullying. Visit three schools where parents, teachers and students are implementing bullying prevention programs that are making a big difference in students' lives.

Episode 3

Digital Literacy in the Classroom: Students learn how to become proactive digital citizens.  From understanding safe behavior online to learning how to find reliable sources to seeing how online activity leaves a lasting identity trail - - these lessons are designed to develop critical thinking skills.

Episode 4

The Common Core State Standards: Watch teachers break new ground putting The Common Core Standards into practice in Math and English Language Arts. The emphasis of these lessons is on deeper thinking, analyzing, and problem solving to better prepare students for success in college and future careers.

Episode 5

Arts Essentials: Take a look at how teachers are designing arts programs that promote critical thinking and problem solving skills. Visit several classrooms where art, music, dance and drama are used to teach math and writing – along with helping students develop social skills and self-confidence.

Episode 6

Technology and Science: Visit classrooms across America where hands on lessons capture students' interest and imagination. See biology, physics and chemistry in action and learn about some innovative ways teachers are using technology in the classroom.

Episode 7

Social Studies Essentials: Watch students engage in rigorous lessons about socio-economics, community and history. We'll start in first grade and finish up in high school with some extraordinary teachers who provide their students with unforgettable experiences in order to learn complex concepts.

Episode 8

Middle School: See how middle school students in America are being prepared for high school. Follow along as students read a fairy tale to learn the concepts of plot and theme. Find out why passing notes is encouraged in a sixth grade class. Learn how some teachers are motivating young learners by tapping into their interests.

Episode 9

Inquiry-based Teaching: A look inside New York's Urban Academy Laboratory High School where two teachers lead student driven, student centered classes. Watch animated discussions unfold when students are challenged to analyze difficult texts and there are no right or wrong answers.

Episode 10

Connecting the Arts to Academics: Take a look at how schools are incorporating the arts into their curriculum. See a wide range of lessons from first grade to high school where students learn about math, science, discipline, leadership and foreign languages through the arts.

Teaching Channel Presents is presented by WLIW21 in association with WNET, parent company of WLIW21, THIRTEEN and the operator of NJTV.  For 50 years, THIRTEEN has been making the most of the rich resources and passionate people of New York and the world, reaching millions of people with on-air and online programming that celebrates arts and culture, offers insightful commentary on the news of the day, explores the worlds of science and nature, and invites students of all ages to have fun while learning.

Major support for Teaching Channel Presents is provided by the Bill and MeLinda Gates Foundation.

About Teaching Channel
Teaching Channel revolutionizes how teachers learn, connect, and inspire each other and their communities to improve instruction and student outcomes in America's K–12 classrooms. A nonprofit organization, Tch engages teachers across the country to reinvent and revolutionize professional learning through video content and online innovation. For more information, visit Tch on the web at www.TeachingChannel.org, and on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and YouTube.

About WNET
In 2012, WNET is celebrating the 50^th Anniversary of THIRTEEN, New York's flagship public media provider. As the parent company of THIRTEEN and WLIW21 and the operator of NJTV, WNET brings quality arts, education and public affairs programming to over 5 million viewers each week. WNET produces and presents such acclaimed PBS series as Nature, Great Performances, American Masters, Need to Know, Charlie Rose and a range of documentaries, children's programs, and local news and cultural offerings available on air and online. Pioneers in educational programming, WNET has created such groundbreaking series as Get the Math, Oh Noah!  and Cyberchase and provides tools for educators that bring compelling content to life in the classroom and at home. WNET highlights the tri-state's unique culture and diverse communities through NYC-ARTS, Reel 13, NJ Today and the new online newsmagazine MetroFocus.