KBTC recognizes Tacoma Public Library Associate as a leader in the western Washington early education community.

KBTC proudly announces the selection of Gabi Barragan, a library associate at the Tacoma Public Library, as one of the 14 early education professionals named to the 2023 honorees of the PBS KIDS Early Learning Champions program. 

The national award, established in 2018, recognizes and celebrates passionate educators working with young children, from infants to second graders. It also presents recipients with valuable professional development opportunities and networking resources provided by PBS KIDS and KBTC.

Barragan's selection is a testament to her deep understanding of family engagement and literacy development, along with her commitment to early learning childhood education and the well-being of young children in the community.

DeAnne Hamilton, General Manager of KBTC, commented, “We discovered right away that Gabi makes the most of every opportunity to engage with parents and young learners as individuals. Her patience, encouragement and commitment to enriching the lives of everyone she encounters really shine.”

Kate Larsen, Director of Tacoma Public Library, added, "Gabi exemplifies Tacoma Public Library's unwavering focus on youth development in Tacoma. We are incredibly proud to witness her excellence acknowledged and eagerly anticipate the wealth of professional development opportunities she, and by extension, all Library staff, will derive from this distinguished award."

As part of a 14-person two-year cohort, Barragan will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of community-building, leadership, and professional development activities.   

Hamilton further shared, “Gabi's personal connection to PBS as a child demonstrates her lifelong passion for educational programming. This connection with PBS undoubtedly enhances her ability to connect with young learners and create meaningful educational experiences. We are honored to partner with and celebrate her as someone who is passionate about the power of PBS KIDS media and using it to create bridges to learning in our community.”

The PBS KIDS Early Learning Champions program, which has recognized 52 passionate educators of young children since its inception, including this year’s honorees, encompasses a diverse group of early learning educators. This includes Pre-K and special education teachers, childcare center owners and directors, librarians, family literacy specialists, community and parent educators, and school counselors. The program represents the diverse community of individuals impacting young learners today. Supported by the CPB-PBS Ready To Learn Initiative, this year’s cohort will collaborate on national co-design projects, creating professional development resources for educators and everyday learning resources for families. Simultaneously, they will be working to support Learning Neighborhood initiatives nationwide. 

PBS KIDS and local PBS stations will also provide support for skill-building within the classroom, in person, and at home, while encouraging these professionals to seek out their own personal and professional trajectories. These Early Learning Champions will connect with education networks nationwide, reinforcing their commitments to their community’s families, education officials, and administrators by utilizing the tools and resources offered by PBS KIDS and local PBS stations. 

Read the full list of the 2023 PBS KIDS Early Learning Champions here.

Click here  to learn more about Amy Reed-Ferguson and the Early Learning Championship program.  

Learn about 2021 PBS KIDS Early Learning Champion Amy Reed-Ferguson here.