WNET Names Carole Wacey Vice President of Education

Aims to further partnership of public media and education through outreach and interactive capacity development

NEW YORK, Nov. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- WNET, parent company of New York's public television stations THIRTEEN and WLIW21 and operator of NJTV, announced the appointment of Carole Wacey, previously Executive Director of MOUSE and senior policy advisor at the U.S. Department of Education as Vice President, Education, effective December 17^th.

"With such a powerful balance of policy, technology and educational leadership experience, Carole is the ideal candidate to further WNET's educational mission," says WNET CEO Neal Shapiro. "Our educational content and initiatives provide a vitally important service to our community and the community of teachers we serve. Carole's leadership has significantly grown MOUSE and its impact on young people across the country. Her skills will be important as we shape the future of WNET to further meet the needs of our audience of educators and the technologies they rely on."

Carole served during the last ten years as Executive Director at MOUSE, a national nonprofit organization that empowers underserved youth to learn, lead and create with technology.  Carole will continue to support MOUSE as a recently elected member to its Board of Directors.

Prior to joining MOUSE, Wacey was the Director of the Interactive Media for Children program at the Markle Foundation; and before that was Deputy Director of the Office of Education Technology and Senior Policy Advisor at the U.S. Department of Education. In that capacity, she provided leadership for the Clinton Administration on the development and implementation of national educational technology policy among other things.

"Media is a critically important tool in the Education toolbox, and WNET has been a leader in marrying sound educational concepts with engaging characters, story lines and technologies throughout its 50-year history," said Wacey. "I am thrilled to have the opportunity to continue this long tradition and ensure it continues to make the most of the talents of teachers and the extraordinary possibilities of both proven and emerging technologies.

About WNET
In 2012, WNET is celebrating the 50^th Anniversary of THIRTEEN, New York's flagship public media provider. As the parent company of THIRTEEN and WLIW21 and operator of NJTV, WNET brings quality arts, education and public affairs programming to over 5 million viewers each week. WNET produces and presents such acclaimed PBS series as Nature, Great Performances, American Masters, Need to Know, Charlie Rose and a range of documentaries, children's programs, and local news and cultural offerings available on air and online. Pioneers in educational programming, WNET has created such groundbreaking series as Get the Math, Oh Noah! and Cyberchase and provides tools for educators that bring compelling content to life in the classroom and at home. WNET highlights the tri-state's unique culture and diverse communities through NYC-ARTS, Reel 13, NJ Today and MetroFocus, the multi-platform news magazine focusing on the New York region.

WNET's Education Department creates and distributes resources that leverage WNET's broadcast, multi-media and national production content for enhanced impact to viewers and constituents across the New York region and nationally.  The Department provides free access to high-quality digital instructional media content for students, teachers and parents.  In addition, the Education Department staff offers unique professional development opportunities for preK-12 educators throughout the school year. THIRTEEN and WLIW21 emphasize in particular service to NYS students and educators, supported by an ongoing major grant from New York State and administered by the New York State Education Department. 

SOURCE WNET