Johnstown Educator Selected as PBS LearningMedia Teacher Ambassador

Christian Wrabley, a dedicated history and civics teacher at Greater Johnstown High School, has been honored as one of only 12 educators nationwide to participate in the prestigious PBS LearningMedia Teacher Ambassador program.

 

In this role, Wrabley will curate educational content for classrooms, schools, and social media platforms in collaboration with WQED, Pittsburgh's PBS station.

 

Expressing his enthusiasm, Wrabley stated, "Being selected is certainly exciting. But there's a responsibility to it, and I don't take that lightly. I've loved PBS for as long as I can remember. I grew up watching Mister Rogers. He's still my favorite teacher. To carry that work forward and be part of creating stuff for PBS is a special opportunity for me."

 

The PBS LearningMedia Teacher Ambassador program brings together passionate social studies educators to utilize PBS resources, fostering student engagement with trusted media sources.

 

Wrabley has already integrated PBS content into his lessons, notably using the documentary "The American Revolution" to deepen students' understanding of historical events.

 

Assistant Superintendent Michael Dadey praised Wrabley's achievement, noting his "energy, creativity, and purpose" in the classroom and his commitment to innovative instructional practices.

 

Wrabley's selection not only highlights his individual excellence but also brings valuable opportunities for instructional growth and collaboration to the Greater Johnstown School District.

 

As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, Wrabley emphasizes the importance of reflecting on history and envisioning the future, stating, "There's a lot to reflect on. There's a lot to be honest about. And there's also a time to kind of look forward and see, where do we want to go from here?"

 

In related community developments, Johnstown has recently celebrated significant milestones, including the opening of the Minersville Community Park in April 2025, enhancing local green spaces, and the city's exit from distressed municipality status under Act 47 in April 2023, marking a new era of economic revitalization.

 

These advancements, coupled with Wrabley's national recognition, underscore a period of positive transformation and growth for the Johnstown community.