AEC Steering Committee Chair Honored

The Consortium for Public Education host the Champions of Learning Awards to honor individuals and groups for their contributions to public education, recognizing their dedication, creativity, inspiration, and consistent efforts in making a difference in the lives of students in our region.

The competition is not limited to professional educators. All those who work to give our region’s youth inspired and exciting learning opportunities are honored for their contributions to the arts, business partnerships, teaching, community outreach, leadership, and volunteerism. In addition, the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s Be There champions are also recognized.

This year, as a unique addition, a Special Tribute will be held for Bill Isler, the chair of AEC’s Steering Committee, for his continuous, varied, and outstanding contributions in providing learning opportunities for youth in our region.

Bill Isler was the President and CEO of The Fred Rogers Company and is a longtime professional educator and advocate for children. He began his career as a teache and administrator, and later joined the Pennsylvania Department of Education, where he served as Executive Assistant toe the Secretary of Education, Commissioner of Basic Education, and Senior Program Advisor for Early Childhood Education before joining The Fred Rogers Company in 1984. He was the first Executive Director of the fred Rogers Center and still serves on the Center’s Advisory Committee.

In addition to his leadership role at The Fred Rogers Company, Mr. Isler was a member of the board of the Pittsburgh Public Schools, and President of the Board for 5 years. He is a board member of a number of organizations in the region, including the Grable Foundation, The Jewish Community Center of Pittsburgh, Steeltown Entertainment, is Treasurer of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, and is an honorary fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He received The Pittsburgh Foundation’s Isabel P. Kennedy Award for child advocacy and was named Person of the Year in 2007 by the Mentoring Partnership of Southwestern Pennsylvania. In 2015 he was named The Urban Educator of The Year by The council of Great City Schools and received The Coleman Award for Excellence in Community Service by The University of Pittsburgh’s Institute of Politics. He has Co-chaired the Governor’s Early Learning Council since 2006, and he has served on the Early Learning Investment Commission since 2008.

Tickets for the Champions of Learning Awards are available for purchase here.