Denise Cates-Darnell and Lillian Vasquez

This month we are sitting down to chat with our Early Education and Development team member Denise Cates-Darnell and the executive producer of KVCR Lillian Vasquez, they are here to share with us the launch of our transmedia television project. 

Early Education and Development webpage:
https://www.sbcss.k12.ca.us/index.php/en/ess-2019/early-education-and-development

Music by lemonmusicstudio from Pixabay - Where the Light Is

Transcript

Nancy  00:06

Hello, everyone, and welcome back. This is Nancy Sherrod and

Ana  00:09

Ana Garcia. And thanks for tuning in to our Early Education and Development podcast. Tomorrow's Readiness Starts Today.

Nancy  00:15

Each month you can tune in to hear us chat with someone who has played an important role in the preschool to third grade initiatives will also continue to share with you some of the awesome things we're doing here in the early education and development department at San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools.

Ana  00:30

This month we are sitting down to chat with our Early Education and Development team member Denise Kate star now and the executive producer of KVCR Lillian Vasquez, they are here to share with us the launch of our transmedia television project. Welcome to both of you. 

Lillian  00:45

Thank you. 

Denise  00:45

Thank you.

Nancy  00:46

We're looking forward to talking with you about our Learn with me project. But before we do that, can you both tell us a little bit about yourself and your journey prior to the role you're currently holding?

Lillian  00:56

Alright, Lillian Vasquez, I'll go first, Denise, I've been working for KVCR. For almost 24 years, I have had the opportunity because we're a little station we get to do a lot of things and wear a lot of hats. So I've been a reporter, I've been a producer, I've been a host, I've been the marketing coordinator. I've been the outreach person. And we do fundraising, because we're a nonprofit. So we do fundraising for the station. So we get to wear a lot of hats play a lot of roles, which I love. Because, you know, if you get tired of one thing you're on to something else the next day, so, but my favorite is production. I love, love, love television and radio production.

Nancy  01:34

And Denise want to share a little bit about yourself

Denise  01:36

I would love to. So I have about 30 years 30 plus years experience in education, as a classroom teacher as an instructional coach, and now as an administrator here at San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools and working with early education in the last few years, which is so exciting to get kids right at the beginning of their education journey.

Ana  02:06

Lillian what row is KVCR playing in the world of education, and more specifically, early education.

Lillian  02:12

So KVCR, if you're familiar with PBS, PBS, as a long time been one of the places that parents trusted for their children to sit in front of the television back in the day when it was just television. Because we were doing learning things, we were different than some of the other Disney or Nickelodeon or some of the others. Because it's all about teaching value, instilling education, and just being very conscious of our pre K kids. And that's pretty much where PBS stays in the pre K. With this project, we get to go a little beyond that in in that we're doing kindergarten through third kind of which public television PBS doesn't typically have. So that's why this project is really important. But public television and KVCR have been catering to our education in our community. During the pandemic, we had educational classes, content working with the county schools, too, so kids could keep learning and use some of our assets that we had. So we're very conscious we have a it's one of our pillars is education, all grade levels of education, but early education and this project really hones in on that.

Nancy  03:26

That's great. Well, and I, I'm excited to talk about the project because this project has been a long time coming and a lot of pieces. And you know, the superintendent talked a little bit about collective impact and bringing partners together. And so this is a huge transmedia project. Denise, what does transmedia mean?

Denise  03:45

So that's a great question, Nancy, because that was the first question I asked when I got involved in this project. transmedia is really about bringing together different types of media, so that kids can access from a whole variety of sources. So we have KVCR with television. And we have footsteps or brilliance which brings in a digital connection as well. So they have the opportunity to access pieces online that are going to support their learning, as well as through video or through viewing on television, as well as connecting things with the classroom teacher, because there are lesson plans and things that connect with our episodes that teachers will be able to use as extending learning beyond the school day. So it's really exciting to see all of these elements kind of come together and focus on a specific learning skill or strategy.

Nancy  04:47

Thank you. Well, and this has been a long time coming. This is not something that we started two months ago, three months ago. So Lillian, Lillian, can you take us on this journey? Tell us where this started, how it's evolved. We'll share with us how learn with me is getting ready to be launched and what what it did to get here?

Lillian  05:05

Absolutely. So the project came about with Stephanie Houston, who works for county schools she wanted to do was maybe right before right after, during the pandemic, she wanted to continue a way of learning, you know, for the kiddos that could be watching at home or on their phones. And, and so she said, Let's do the show. And it was called, they didn't have a name. They didn't have a name. And so we we played around with it. And we came up with learn with me. And what it was originally was a teacher from the county schools. And I think those particular teachers were from Fontana and Rancho Cucamonga or Cucamonga school districts, and brought them in, we wrote a script. We had them read a story. And there wasn't as much animation as there is today. Teachers came in, they read the story. And then we had another set of teachers come in, read the story. And everybody loved the project. Right. And it was, we could turn it around fairly quickly because there wasn't as much animation. But they I think the county schools really loved it. They sent out an RFP for us to write a grant, we wrote the proposal, we got the grant. And then we just took it to a whole nother level because now it was a pilot show that looked like this to an episode to a season to three seasons, and what that what it's going to look like when we get to that finish line.

Nancy  06:32

So fun. So fun.

Lillian  06:38

So in each episode, it has a different learning component. As I was saying, with public television, there's always like when you're in Mr. Rogers Neighborhood, he's teaching about being friendly and being kind and calming down and learning different things. So each episode will be it about grammar, it'll be about nouns, pronouns, prepositions, adjectives, verbs, it'll be about overcoming obstacles. It'll be there as a segue. There's one episode on autism and treating others with kindness. There's mammals and insects and gravity. But here's the biggest thing. And this is something that has not been done in the public television world. They this show will be the first 15 minutes are in English, with some Spanish words sprinkled in the second 15 minutes are the exact same thing as the first 15 minutes, but it's all in Spanish with some English words sprinkled in. So that's what makes it so unique, the exact same thing. So if you have Spanish speaking, children watching, hopefully, they're learning some more English. And if you have English students watching, hopefully, they're learning some Spanish. And if you just listen to the title, and we'll have to get that for you, so you can play it, because you will be singing that song. And you'll be seeing some words in Spanish very, very catchy, and very fun. And so that's what's so unique about this program is that the English and the Spanish.

Denise  08:05

And just to build off on that a little bit, that transmedia piece does the same thing. So that kiddos can access any of the games and activities in English or in Spanish as well. So they can go back and forth and repeat things. We have kids that have already been using it, that are helping them build their English skills, or build their Spanish skills. We even have some kids that are now learning a third language, because they've come on and are using it to help build that as well. So it's really exciting where that bilingual piece or multilingual piece is going to go.

Nancy  08:46

Well, let's talk about that a little bit because you mentioned transmedia, but footsteps to brilliance is a part of this. So we've broken it up into Spanish English part of the show. You've got teachers, what role does footsteps to brilliance play? Is that the transmedia pieces that what you were just sharing about?

Lillian  08:59

So because they have so many books, that became an easy, natural progression for us and we haven't used all their books, and not all the episodes are footsteps to brilliance books, but many of the books they start the basis of the episode. So if we're reading about ladybugs Well, we're going to learn about insects. If we're reading about mammals, well, we're going to learn about mammals and breeding and stuff like that. So our characters and I'll talk more about our characters in a little bit, but that's the essence of footsteps are brilliant. So there's one Lucy the ladybug or sandy the seahorse, or, and so the episodes will talk about the ocean and the story will be part of Sandy the seahorse from footsteps of brilliance. 

09:45

springboards to you Denise. 

Denise  09:46

Yeah, so we used that to help us because the text from footsteps to brilliance is in both English and in Spanish, and then all of the activities that are available to support this students in their learning, if they're learning a particular skill from from one of those texts, like from Sandy the seahorse, they might be learning about letter S. Right. So all of the activities and things are also available in both English and Spanish for them to access through the transmedia hub, which is at KVCR TV.org. And so our students will be able to jump in onto that link and access the episodes and activities right there. So it's all together in one place for them,

Nancy  10:35

which is that transmedia word right? All of it bringing together

Ana  10:39

Amazing work. So what have been some of the biggest obstacles, if any.

Lillian  10:44

So early on, we're, we're in better shape Dell, but early on the biggest obstacle was finding the teachers finding the teachers, one who have no experience, but they have experience of teachers. So they're used to being in front of a group, they're used to reading these stories. But it's a whole different thing to do it in the studio in front of cameras in front of crew, not in your house, not in your classroom. So finding the teachers was the biggest challenge. Finding Spanish speaking teachers was the greatest challenge. But KVCR did a we did a spot we ran it over the air over the holidays last year. And people who hadn't heard from the county schools about it, saw it on TV, and they started submitting their, their demo tapes or their submission tapes. And so now we got to see teachers, you know, reading, some of them would one of them was at Starbucks, and she was reading her thing and animated and some of them wrote their own scripts, and you got to see their creativity. This allowed us to say, okay, rather than just names that people will try this, try this, once they did their audition reel, right? Then we could see, okay, she could do this, she's she's got personality, she's got character, he's got this or that. And then trying to find as many male teachers, as female teachers, and trying to, you know, provide or have teachers of all ethnicities, so that we can and so that has been the greatest challenge. But we're in pretty good shape. Now. We've already recorded all of season one, which was 12 episodes, 12 episodes in English 12 episodes in Spanish. And now we're starting the process of season two, we have two new teachers. We have a new teacher that speaks both English and Spanish, which is like, lovely, fine. Yeah. Because then she can do the whole episode. And we're good. So that's been the biggest challenge is getting the teachers but we're looking good now.

Nancy  12:42

Okay, well, you're talking about teachers, their character, who are some of the other characters in the episode because there's fun voices, there's fun. There's fun cartoons, who's in the episodes besides those teachers?

Lillian  12:53

Did you want to talk any more about the teachers

Denise  12:55

to say something about the teachers first, I just wanted to go back and say, it has been so exciting to see the teachers as they come in. Because nobody, nobody had experience doing this and pulling teachers out of their classroom to do it. But Lillian and her team, I have to hats off to Kelly, our director have done a phenomenal job of working with teachers and coaching them to become really great. Actor easy. Yeah. 

Lillian  13:30

And they're not acting right. They're, they're doing what they do in class. We're just amping them up a little bit right to make it more engaged in and they've they've all risen to the occasion. Yeah, you know, they were nervous. You could hear it in their voice when it's a little shaky at first, and then they get and they they get something I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Like, it's okay. We're all here to get the same thing. So it's come a long way just working with the teacher 

Denise  13:51

And just watching what they've created. has been amazing. Because yeah, that's, that's really exciting.

Nancy  13:58

I've watched it filmed. It's, I was like, that's a lot that yes, they jump into it, they following me, you've got a picture. I mean, I'm gonna paint a picture for you guys. Green Screen, they are there with a couple of props, and there's nothing around them and they are looking at fish and they are reading books.

Lillian  14:14

When you think about their role the the episode is 20, 26, 28 minutes, right? But their part, the English and the Spanish is probably about 11 minutes and then 11 minutes and we have credits and we have transitions and we've opened and closed and stuff like that. But they're part of reading there is maybe about four minutes and it takes like four hours and they never understand it. They don't understand that it's gonna oh, I'll just read this and we'll be done. No, it's take after take time after time. So to get four minutes of content, takes like four or five hours sometimes to get that so

Nancy  14:51

 Which is why it has been a process. 

Lillian  14:52

Yes, it is a process.

Denise  14:54

But it has been fantastic. It has been so fun to watch those teachers shine And to really have an opportunity for us to show what phenomenal teachers we do have in San Bernardino County. So that's really exciting.

Nancy  15:08

I love that they're gonna be able to see themselves and their students see them. And it just really does capture the Heart of Education in such a neat way. So capturing the heart, tell us those other character. 

Lillian  15:19

Let me talk about this character. So we have Eddie, Eddie is the main character. He's the kid that goes to central elementary school. And he is the, the thread through through it. All right, something's going on with Eddie's world at home, going to school, at school, he's playing soccer, or he's building a robot, or he is our main character that's doing everything. And then in season two, we're hoping to bring in his little sister and maybe his older brother. But the other Mainstay is the character Berry, the bell, Berry, the bell is kind of our in between transition Berry is getting students to get to the right classroom, for whatever teacher, if it's art, or cooking, very helps you get there very is integrated in the story. And we have an actor that does both English and Spanish. So that's been really helpful. And on some occasions, we have Barbara. Barbara is a substitute bell because Barry gets sick a couple of times. And so we have a substitute bell. And then in the season, or in the episode of magnets, there is some attraction, with Barry and Barbara who wanted the details to come. It's not the next rom com or anything, but you get the idea. There's some giggles.

Nancy  16:36

Well, the goal of our podcast is to share with families, with teachers with leaders, childcare providers, all things early at what message do you want to share with these groups about learning with me? What do you want them to know? And how is this going to support the needs of all of those facets.

Denise  16:50

So I think this is a fantastic opportunity. First of all, you can feel like you're allowing your child to watch something that you trust is going to be a great experience for them. And they're going to learn something as they watch. But also, then they get to extend that learning by using the transmedia hub, they get to take that and add skills to what they pick up in the episode, they can revisit the episode, they can read a book that connects to the learning there as well. And then they can go in and explore and extend their learning even beyond that. So it's going to be a really fun, great place that kids can interact, and continue to learn. We'll have contests and all kinds of fun things to help create more interaction as well, for students. So I think just watching the adventures with Eddie, and Barry is going to be fun in itself as well.

Lillian  17:54

The other thing is, I think parents can enjoy it too, right. So it's hopefully it's watching television or the medium together and have some ways of learning for the parents and the parents can have that discussion. So hopefully there is opportunity for parents and caregivers to spend time with their little one that's experiencing learn with me,

Nancy  18:14

I love it. And I'm going to plug in here that that footsteps to brilliance platform that's going to be the springboard after for the hub. Every child zero to eight years old in San Bernardino County can get that for free. That was our episode last month. So if you didn't get a chance to get that account, check that out. Because that's going to be a part that goes hand in hand for you to spend time with your child after the episodes and they're going to see pieces from the episodes on that screen as they're playing with that platform,

Ana  18:40

Lillian and Denise, do you have a hope or vision for early education and those who support our young learners or just anything else that you would like to add as we conclude our podcast?

Nancy  18:48

I love that you looked at each other? Who's going first? What are you hoping? Well,

Denise  18:54

I mean, since we're talking about learn with me, we are really excited about this. This is our first season first season is finished, we have already committed to three seasons of this. So I can't wait to see where that's going to continue to go after these first three seasons, and see how that will continue to grow. But importantly, what we're about here at San Bernardino County schools is that we want our students to be literate by third grade. And that's really part of our vision to read initiative is really ensuring that so having this be a part of that. It's so powerful in our community. If we ensure that our kids get off to a good start, it will make a difference for generations to come.

Nancy  19:49

Very well said.

Lillian  19:50

So for KVCR it'll be about taking Eddie on the road and having kids meet Eddie and be you know, learning from Eddie and experience, when kids see a TV something and then they see the costume, obviously, Eddie, they love it right. It's a great opportunity. It brings awareness about learn with me brings awareness about KVCR. We are planning to do a kid's camp, where we can have it on the campus of San Bernardino Valley College, and have a learning day and invite schools to come to the campus and learn about other PBS Kids shows because we're all about that, but learn with me will be a big focus, Edie will be there, our bear will be there that we have. So that's the outreach part for K VCR that we will have and reach out into the communities we have adopted the school right around the corner from the station. But there's other elementary schools near us that we hope the students will come and visit and be a part of that. Ice cream, social and kids camp.

Nancy  20:54

How fun I have not heard that yet. So that is exciting. So we've got everybody excited. They're now ready to see learn with me launch. We keep talking about season one. Is there a timeframe? Maybe we will see it.

Denise  21:09

So first of all, we do have an event coming up. And that is on September 21, when we will be premiering our very first episode. So we are so excited about that, to share that with some community members, and with us so that we can all fit because we've all been part of the production, but in different aspects. So it's going to be really great to see the whole thing come together. So that's in September following that in the fall, we will be airing,

Lillian  21:45

yes. So we are anticipating that October 6 will be our first air date. So that's, that's what we're anticipating I wouldn't put that in stone. But that's what we're shooting for. In the beginning. Learn will with me will be seen in the morning. I think it's a 6:30 or 7:30 and repeat at 11:30. And every Friday, it'll be a weekly show for the 12 weeks. When we have them all done, we hope to what's called strip it and strip it means it would air Monday through Friday in that same time slot. We're still a ways from that. But initially, it'll start in the fall in we'll have two earrings in the morning and early early morning and mid morning. And it'll begin on it'll air on a Friday on KVCR TV. 

Nancy  22:35

So looking forward to that it's coming soon, very soon. Well, we want to thank you both Denise and Lillian and for being with us today. We know our listeners benefited. They're going to be excited. I hope they can hear how excited we are about this project. And we appreciate all the information you shared with us today.

Lillian  22:49

Thank you for the opportunity really enjoyed it.

Denise  22:51

Yes, thank you for inviting me.

Ana  22:54

Join us next month when we will bring to you an episode focused on our work and sharing the message and importance of a mixed delivery system. We will share the mission of this work and supporting parents in choosing among different program types, allowing them to select one that best meets their needs. It will look at how mix delivery will support directing children towards programs that meet their development and learning style.

Nancy  23:15

mixed delivery is a hot topic in early education right now and we're doing some great work in sharing the reason behind this system. It's going to be an episode you won't want to miss especially if you have a three or a four year old. As always, we thank you for listening. We hope to have you tune in next month when we continue to share the message that tomorrow's readiness starts today.