Award-Winning Program Innovates to Meet School Readiness Needs
St. Louis, MO—August 30, 2023—Nine PBS, the leading provider of children’s educational programming in the St. Louis region, is thrilled to unveil the upcoming season of Teaching in Room 9. This highly anticipated new season, premiering September 4, reflects Nine PBS’s commitment to prepare kids ages 0-8 for school and for life. With a brand new in-studio set, a beloved host, and exciting field trips to treasured landmarks and essential healthcare providers, Teaching in Room 9 continues to transform the early childhood educational landscape so that all children can flourish.
As part of its dedication to educational excellence, Nine PBS is delighted to announce Dr. Albert J. Sanders Jr. as the new official host of Teaching in Room 9. An award-winning educator, Dr. Sanders brings a wealth of experience and a passion for early childhood education, making him the right leader to guide young learners through their school-readiness journey. Dr. Sanders will be a very familiar face to many viewers, as he was one of the original teaching crew when the show debuted in April 2020 and quickly became a fan favorite.
"We are thrilled to have Dr. Sanders join our team as the host of Teaching in Room 9,” said Amy Shaw, President and CEO at Nine PBS. "His expertise and dedication to preparing children for school make him the perfect fit. We are confident that his energy and enthusiasm will inspire and engage young viewers."
The new, reimagined season of Teaching in Room 9 is produced by award-winning producer Michael Francis. Francis brings a wealth of varied experience after many years working in Los Angeles for networks including A&E, MTV, CBS, NBC, BET, TLC, Lifetime, PBS, and ESPN.
Each episode of Teaching in Room 9 continues to incorporate lessons aligned to Missouri and Illinois state standards in reading, math, science, and social skills, with a strong emphasis on literacy. New this season, Teaching in Room 9 takes learning beyond the classroom as viewers discover our region's resources. Children will explore the coloring wall at the Missouri History Museum, learn about dinosaurs at the Saint Louis Science Center, and experience African art and mummies at the Saint Louis Art Museum, just to name a few. These field trips not only enhance educational content but also promote social-emotional development and critical preventative healthcare for children.
“The lessons and field trips in this season of Teaching in Room 9 create a comprehensive curriculum, providing early learners with essential education as they prepare for school,” said Angela Carr, Vice President and Chief Impact Officer at Nine PBS. “Since the start of the pandemic, our region has seen a huge decline in preschool enrollment—up to 26% lower than pre-pandemic levels in our highest-need neighborhoods. Nine PBS is committed to helping bridge that learning gap for our community.”
Lesson segments will continue to feature some of the region’s best classroom teachers, including Kristen Forth from the Rockwood School District, Julia St. Louis from Mehlville School District, Shamika Williams from Confluence Academies, Lauren Williams from Windsor School District, and Julia Knarr from Soulard School. This season also features animal wildlife expert and rescuer Michael “Bare Hands” Beran with some special animal guests. Psychotherapist Candice E. Cox, LCSW and founder of KHAOS Inc., will teach kids age-appropriate strategies for experiencing and managing their feelings.
Teaching in Room 9 is supported by Bank of America, Berges Family Foundation, Boeing, The Cigna Group Foundation, Dana Brown Charitable Trust, The Emerson Charitable Trust, and Pershing Charitable Trust.
The new season of Teaching in Room 9 premieres September 4 at 9:30 am on Nine PBS. For more information and updates, please visit ninepbs.org.
Photo left to right: Dr. Arionna Ralleigh, Julia Knarr, Michael Francis, Shamika Williams, Dr. Albert Sanders, Lauren Williams, Lauren Lane, Julia St. Louis, and Kristen Forth.
About Nine PBS
As an essential community institution, Nine PBS magnifies and deepens understanding of our community to help our region flourish. We tell stories that move us. We meet people where they are the most comfortable consuming content. Nine PBS’s platforms include four distinct broadcast channels (Nine PBS, Nine PBS KIDS®, Nine PBS World, and Nine PBS Create), ninepbs.org, social media, the free PBS App, streaming services, live and virtual events, and the Public Media Commons. Since 1954, Nine PBS has accepted the community’s invitation into their homes, schools, and businesses. Follow Nine PBS on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
For more information, contact:
Sarah Brandt
Director of Communications
(314) 512-9034
sbrandt@ninepbs.org