JUNE 6, 2022

Director of Educational Outreach Announced

 

Welcome Melissa!

We are delighted to welcome Melissa Gravert to the WQPT PBS team—filling our vital Educational Outreach Director position. She will oversee our outreach initiatives and activities, including our First Book Club, PBS ScratchJr and Imagination Station.

"Melissa is a natural fit for this important role at WQPT PBS. We're looking forward to having her infuse new life into our Educational Outreach initiatives and activities," said Dawn Schmitt, WQPT PBS General Manager.

Schmitt went on to add, "I know I speak for our entire staff and Community Advisory Board when I say how grateful we are that Melissa chose to join the WQPT PBS family. We look forward to seeing how she develops and enhances our Educational Outreach efforts."

Joining WQPT PBS is a bit of a homecoming for Melissa, who served as a 2012 WQPT PBS Ambassador—our outreach volunteer program for college students.

Melissa brings a wealth of experience to WQPT PBS. She received her Master of Science in Education in Elementary Education degree from Western Illinois University, and her School Librarian Endorsement from Marshall University located in West Virginia. She also holds degrees from Western Illinois University and Scott Community College, both located in the Quad Cities.

Melissa was most recently employed as a teacher-librarian at Washington Elementary, Lincoln-Irving Elementary, and Roosevelt Elementary in Moline and previously at Jefferson Elementary, located in Davenport.

Melissa has implemented several special events, including Read Across America (National Education Association) and other activities such as Family Reading Night and Literacy on the Lawn.

"I am incredibly excited to serve as the new WQPT PBS Education Director! I intend to apply the skills and expertise gained during my ten years of public education experience to serve families throughout the station's viewing area in this new role," said Melissa.

 

About our Educational Outreach

Education is at the very core of our mission. One of our primary goals is to celebrate the good in every child. We broadcast outstanding educational programs for kids, but we do so much more to engage children to discover new things. We educate children, parents, childcare providers and educators with life lessons for little learners.

The world is full of possibilities and so is every child.

Differences are celebrated to improve the likelihood of success for low literate, low income, English language learners, and special needs families through literacy and child development workshops. We visit preschools and elementary classrooms with loveable characters throughout the region and provide thousands of free books and learning materials to students whose families cannot afford them to encourage laughter and learning. Explore our Educational Outreach