Wauwatosa teacher earns spot in national PBS program

Chris Lazarski, a teacher at Wauwatosa West High School, has been named a 2014 PBS “LearningMedia” Digital Innovator by PBS “LearningMedia,” an on-demand digital media service from PBS offering more than 35,000 digital resources for educators.

In April, PBS “LearningMedia” and Milwaukee Public Television selected 100 educators for the program, which rewards tech-savvy K-12 educators from across the country that incorporate digital media into their classroom.

“I am looking forward to participating in PBS LearningMedia’s year-long professional development program,” said Lazarski, who teaches 10th grade Global Studies, and 11th grade American Public Policy and Journalism at Wauwatosa West High School.

“I am excited to learn new ways to adapt and use instructional technology from my fellow Digital Innovators as well as integrating more of the excellent resources available from PBS ‘LearningMedia’ and Wisconsin Media Lab.”

Lazarski is an advisor for the extra-curricular student print, web and video journalism programs, helps develop curriculum for the weekly homeroom program, and is part of a small team which runs the 9th grade transitions “Link Crew” program.  Also, he recently spent two weeks in Oujda, Morocco, as a “Teachers for Global Classrooms” fellow, which is a year-long program sponsored by the U.S. State Department.

“Of course, I am even more excited to bring these new ideas to the students in my classroom to spark their learning and to share them with my outstanding and passionate colleagues in the Wauwatosa School District,” he said.

 Lazarski said his favorite resource from PBS “LearningMedia” is an overview of civil rights activist Diane Nash, which he accessed from the Wisconsin Media Lab’s website at WIMediaLab.org. The Wisconsin Media Lab, an educational partner of PBS and MPTV, keeps cost-free multimedia educational content.

“MPTV is thrilled that a 2014 PBS LearningMedia Digital Innovator has been named right here in MPTV’s viewing area,” said Ellis Bromberg, the GM of MPTV.

“We are proud to be able to partner with PBS LearningMedia and provide exceptional educators like Mr. Lazarski with one-of-a-kind resources, tools and trainings that support them in their efforts to transform the way their students learn through technology and digital media.”

The 2014 PBS “LearningMedia” Digital Innovators will receive year-long development opportunities that include virtual trainings, access to exclusive resources, and invitations to special events.