This week, PBS announced the 2016 PBS LearningMedia Digital Innovators. Now in its fourth year, the program honors educators from across the country who exemplify excellence in using technology and digital media to support student learning. Shana White, Technology Coordinator at Creekland Middle School in Gwinnett County, was named Georgia’s 2016 Lead PBS LearningMedia Digital Innovator.

The 2016 Lead Innovators are awarded with year-long professional development opportunities, virtual trainings, exclusive resources from PBS LearningMedia Custom, a free PBS TeacherLine professional development course, networking opportunities and more. Additionally, the 52 Lead Digital Innovators will receive an all-expense paid trip to Denver, Colorado to participate in the 2016 PBS LearningMedia Digital Summit and the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Conference.

“This year we received a record number of applications from qualified teachers from across the country and we are excited to welcome this new class of digitally savvy educators to our growing group of leaders,” said Alicia Levi, Vice President, PBS Education. “Education for learners of all ages is at the core of PBS’ mission, and we are committed to providing teachers and students with the tools and content necessary to succeed in today’s digital classroom. I look forward to working alongside this group as they continue to engage and empower the next generation of students.”

Georgia’s Lead Digital Innovator, Shana White, serves as technology coordinator at Creekland Middle School in Lawrenceville, GA as well as an adjunct teacher for Georgia Virtual School. She believes technology provides an effective means to collaborate, innovate, and open doors for all students. Shana enjoys her role as technology coordinator because it allows her to help teachers create meaningful and engaging learning opportunities for all students. She is dedicated to empowering and teaching both students and teachers how to effectively use technology as a tool to enhance and take charge of their own growth.

The following Georgia educators also demonstrated excellence with educational technology to support student learning and will represent Georgia as Local Digital Innovators:

  • Rivers Baldridge Jr.
    Augusta, Georgia
    Technical Career Magnet School


  • Carol Brand
    Conyers, Georgia
    Rockdale Open Campus High School


  • Emily Davis
    Johns Creek, Georgia
    Dolvin Elementary School


  • Amanda Fox
    Savannah, Georgia
    The STEM Academy


  • Ashley Frogg
    Lafayette, Georgia
    Gilbert Elementary


  • Kristee Glace
    Brunswick, Georgia
    Brunswick Christian Academy


  • Mark Gerl
    Atlanta, Georgia
    The Galloway School


  • Brad Gilchrist
    Stone Mountain, Georgia
    Elizabeth Andrews High School


  • Jorge Gonzalez
    Marietta, Georgia
    Pope High School


  • Leigh Herman
    Atlanta, Georgia
    The Weber School


  • Kelley Jordan-Monne
    Atlanta, Georgia
    E. Rivers Elementary


  • Bobby Brian Lewis
    Warner Robins, Georgia
    Huntington Middle School


  • Monique Liles
    McDonough, Georgia
    Babb Middle School


  • James McDaniel
    Atlanta, Georgia
    Centennial Academy


  • Thomas McElheny
    Milledgeville, Georgia
    Georgia Military College Prep


  • Tracy Misner
    Alpharetta, Georgia
    Alpharetta High School


  • Merry Mullins
    Smyrna, Georgia
    King Springs 2-5 Elementary School


  • Rebekah O’Brien
    Lilburn, Georgia
    Baggett Elementary School


  • Lauren Pittman
    Canton, Georgia
    Holly Springs Elementary


  • Shoni Pittman
    Stockbridge, Georgia
    Fairview Elementary School


  • Makisha Rogers
    Atlanta, Georgia
    Atlanta Speech School


  • Natasha Smith
    Fairburn, Georgia
    Evoline C. West Elementary School


  • Heather Wickham
    Marietta, Georgia
    Paulding County High School


  • Candice Williams
    APO, Armed Forces Pacific, Georgia
    Osan Middle School


  • Laura Woods
    Atlanta, Georgia
    William J. Scott Elementary School



About PBS LearningMedia
As America’s largest classroom, PBS offers digital content and services for teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade that help bring classroom lessons to life. PBS LearningMedia, a partnership of PBS and WGBH Educational Foundation, is a free and paid media-on-demand service offering educators access to the best of public media and delivers research-based, classroom-ready digital learning experiences to engage students in exploring curriculum concepts that align with National and Common Core State Standards. Nationwide, more than 1.8 million teachers and users have registered access to more than 120,000 digital resources available through PBS LearningMedia. Through our partnership with PBS LearningMedia, GPB offers free accounts and support to every teacher and student in Georgia. To learn more information about PBS LearningMedia and get started with your free account go to www.pbslearningmedia.org or email education@gpb.org.