12 Social Studies Teachers from Across the Country Recognized
Arlington, VA, January 22, 2026 – Today, PBS announced a cohort of social studies educators selected to serve as PBS LearningMedia Teacher Ambassadors. Leading up to this year’s historic Semiquincentennial, commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence, this honor recognizes the recipients’ expertise and passion for bringing history to life for students in upper elementary through high school.
“We are proud to celebrate these 12 educators for the remarkable commitment they show to their students and communities,” said Lori Brittain, Vice President of PBS LearningMedia. “The PBS LearningMedia Teacher Ambassadors are leaders among their peers who consistently go above and beyond to inspire, support fellow educators, and empower their students. We are honored to spotlight their meaningful work and to express our deep appreciation for the passion, creativity, and care they bring to their classrooms each day.”
Teacher Ambassadors seamlessly integrate PBS LearningMedia social studies resources into their teaching, and inspire their students to engage with media in responsible and meaningful ways. Throughout the year, the PBS LearningMedia Teacher Ambassadors will connect with their peers, school leadership, local PBS member stations, and other education community organizations to help bring renewed awareness and understanding of our shared history and spark conversation and engagement.
The 12 PBS LearningMedia Teacher Ambassadors represent grades 3-12 and a range of subject matter expertise in social studies — from civics to U.S. History, including the Revolutionary Era, and more — along with years of classroom experience, and geographic locations across the United States. These educators will serve as expert advisors, lead trainings, create educational and social content for PBS LearningMedia, and more. Below is a list of the PBS LearningMedia Teacher Ambassadors; their profiles and photographs can be found here.
- Leah Amos, North Carolina
- Amy Bennett-Rosado, California
- Chayanee Brooks, Hawai’i
- Brandi German, Florida
- William Gross, Texas
- Jackie Jecha, Wisconsin
- Mary Kate Lonergan, New York
- Jaimee Martin, Massachusetts
- Malinda Nichols, Alabama
- Brett Taylor, Alabama
- Kate Van Haren, Wisconsin
- Christian Wrabley, Pennsylvania
Congratulations to the 2026 PBS LearningMedia Teacher Ambassadors!
ABOUT PBS LEARNINGMEDIA
PBS LearningMedia, a partnership between PBS and GBH, is a transformative digital media platform for PreK-12 educators, providing free access to thousands of media-centric classroom resources from PBS member stations and esteemed partners. PBS LearningMedia delivers a dynamic mix of national and locally relevant content—including videos, interactives, lesson plans, teaching tips, and primary sources— that elevates classroom teaching and brings learning to life. Designed with teachers and subject matter experts, classroom resources are aligned to state and national standards and are compatible with the tools teachers use most, such as Google Classroom. Learn more at pbslearningmedia.org or by following PBS Teachers on Facebook or Instagram.