Year: 2025

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Tell us about yourself and your role at Described and Captioned Media Program. 

I live in the upstate of South Carolina with my wife and three children, perfectly situated between the Appalachians and the Atlantic. My background is equal parts computer science and video production, which turned out to be a perfect fit for Described and Captioned Media Program (DCMP), where I started in 2009. I fell in love with the work after seeing the impact DCMP has on the educational journeys of children with disabilities. I wear a few hats at DCMP – as I'm sure anyone working in a small non-profit can relate. I lead the tech and post-production teams, manage lots of producer partnerships, and serve as the project director for one of DCMP's U.S. Department of Education-funded activities. 

How do you work with Fred Rogers Productions?

DCMP produces American Sign Language (ASL) content for Fred Rogers Productions. Starting in 2022 with a small pilot, the project has since expanded to include almost 500 episodes across seven series. I work directly with Erin Dodson, director of post-production at Fred Rogers Productions (who is amazing by the way!) Erin and I bring our respective teams together to select talent, develop character name signs, manage the production and post-production of ASL, and deliver broadcast-quality media assets. Throughout the process, Cindy Camp, who manages marketing and eLearning at DCMP, and I work with three studio partners and their ASL teams – nearly all of whom are Deaf – to capture the raw footage. Micah Fitzkee, post-producer at DCMP, reviews technical quality, consistency, and accuracy. He then keys and edits the footage. Once everything makes it through both DCMP and FRP quality control, Erin and I work with PBS to deliver assets to their specifications that include all available languages, caption tracks, audio description tracks, and ASL. 

Can you speak to how funding works at DCMP?

DCMP is largely funded by U.S. Department of Education cooperative agreements. While competitive in nature, DCMP has been continuously funded since 1991— which serves as a testament to our team and the quality we strive for. We exist to produce accessibility for educational media where there is little financial incentive and serve children with "low incidence disabilities." Our audience includes students who are Deaf, hard of hearing, blind, visually impaired, deaf-blind, among other sensory disabilities. The accessibility we produce is free to students who need it through a video streaming platform at dcmp.org, and additionally our producer partners propagate these assets onto their streaming platforms and broadcast television, extending the reach of every dollar spent. DCMP remains an incredible free resource for students, teachers, caregivers, and producers thanks to Federal funding. 

Do you have a favorite project you've worked on?

While all of our projects are rewarding, I'd have to say my favorite was Alma's Way. Casting took nearly a year, and when we finally found Anjel Piñero, we all knew it was worth the wait. Anjel is Nuyorican, just like Alma, and embodies the energy and personality of Alma perfectly. We built the Alma's Way ASL project around Deaf talent, both in front of and behind the camera. American Sign Language is often misunderstood to be "English on the hands," but it's a rich and unique concept-driven language that often has no direct written or spoken equivalent. Having a Deaf team lead the translation, sign selection, and talent coaching was instrumental in the success of the project. The experience of a fast-paced, linguistically complex show taught our teams so much, and that experience continues to inform every ASL project we produce. 

What was your favorite TV show when you were growing up?

So many... Inspector Gadget, Duck Tales, Scooby Doo, Garfield, The Jetsons. But the consistent show throughout all those years, the one I remember most fondly, was Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. Mister Rogers reminded me of my granddaddy, Reid, who was soft-spoken, kind, empathetic, but also strong in every sense of the word. As I got older, I learned that Reid left a textile factory job in his mid 20s to earn a bachelor's and master's degree in social work. He spent the next 30 years protecting children in our community. Most children aren't fortunate enough to have a mentor like Reid in their own family. Fred Rogers recognized the need and became that role model for millions of children around the world. 

What do you like to do when you’re not working? 

I love building useful things. Whether it's woodworking, metalworking, 3D printing, or a combination thereof. We live on a "hobby farm" of sorts, so I'm always fixing things – often the things I built, ha! Our family also loves to travel to new places, especially state and national parks, so we do that as often as we can. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Tell us about yourself and how your career led you to work in children’s television. 

I have always loved film and television, and in college I started thinking that I wanted to write for kids and families. At that time, there weren’t a lot of children’s media courses though, so I got my first job as a receptionist at an animation house called Jumbo Pictures. While I sat at that desk, I read as many kids’ television scripts that I could get my hands on. I was eventually promoted to be a production assistant on a show called Stanley. After sitting in on meetings and observing how scripts were created and broken down, I submitted story pitches, a spec, and soon started writing for the show! From there, I became the script coordinator and got more and more freelance gigs, working with incredible creators, artists, directors, researchers and advisors.  

Describe your role on “Daniel Tiger Visits Someplace Else”. 

I’ve been a writer and then head writer for Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood for the past 10 years. I’ve been so fortunate to write for Donkey Hodie, too. Since I’m familiar with both shows, as well as the incredible teams at Fred Rogers Productions, Spiffy pictures, and PBS, I was thrilled that I was asked to write this very special episode!  

What was special about writing this crossover episode? Any special considerations? 

Donkey Hodie and Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood both carry on the legacy of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. They have strong social-emotional curriculums, but they are very unique shows with different pacing, tone and rules. The trickiest part about writing this episode was to make sure it felt like a Donkey Hodie episode, while also keeping Daniel’s character and actions true to Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. It was so helpful to have teams from both shows looking at the scripts, making notes and suggestions. I think we struck just the right balance of Donkey and Daniel! 

What was your favorite TV show when you were growing up? 

Of course, I loved Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, but I was also a huge Smurfs fan. They were simple, silly stories. Each Smurf’s personality was super-clear, and of course Gargamel was the BEST cartoon villain! He was the perfect bumbling bad guy who added lots of drama to every episode.  

What do you like to do when you’re not working? 

It’s a running joke in my family that I’m a “joiner.” I recently took an adult/beginner tap and jazz class (with a recital!); I love karaoke; I crochet; I recently got into gardening; I like to travel; and I love supporting my kids in their sports and school activities.   

Community service is important to me, so I also do a lot of volunteering. I’ve been a Children’s Media Association mentor and a Fred Rogers Productions Writers’ Neighborhood mentor. I’m the secretary for my children’s school’s booster club. I work with our backpack program where we bag up groceries so kids have food over the weekends when there aren’t free school breakfasts and lunches. I am also a “literacy at lunch mentor” where I get to read to an elementary school student every week in the hopes of fostering a love of reading. I like to stay busy!  

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Tell us about yourself and your role at Milton Hershey School.
I’m Mike Campbell, Director of Year-Round Experiences (YRE) at Milton Hershey School. In my role, I help design and lead programs that support our students beyond the classroom during school breaks. Because MHS serves students year-round, we provide enriching experiences every day—with all costs covered for students and their families. It’s a unique opportunity to help students grow in every season of the year.

What is special about the YRE program?
YRE is special because it reflects our deep commitment to serving students year-round. We offer a wide range of hands-on, engaging activities that extend learning and personal growth beyond the school year. From leadership retreats to creative arts, STEM, and recreational programming, everything is designed to support the whole child—academically, socially, emotionally, and physically.

Do you have a favorite YRE summer activity?
One of the most exciting parts of our summer programming is that every student who stays on campus can choose a specialty, off-campus camp to attend. These camps allow them to sharpen their skills in athletics, academics, the arts, or simply enjoy outdoor summer fun. For students who remain on campus, we offer Spartan Camp, an engaging, adventure-filled experience that keeps them active, learning, and connected to their peers.

Any new activities families could enjoy for free at home?
Yes! There are so many fun and educational activities families can try together. For our young learners, we use the Young Mathematicians, which offers simple math games with materials in English and Spanish. Families can watch short videos to learn how to play.
We also use PBS KIDS' Plum Landing, which has nature-themed videos and activities. Inspired by it, we’ve gone on nature walks to look for animal homes and food sources—something families can easily do together.
Another great resource is Mystery Science, which provides easy, hands-on science lessons that are perfect for students and require little prep. These activities are a great way to keep kids curious and learning at home.

What do you love most about working at Milton Hershey School?
The students are the heart of everything we do. I’m constantly inspired by their resilience, curiosity, and potential. Being part of a mission-driven community that provides life-changing opportunities is incredibly meaningful. It aligns perfectly with my personal purpose: helping kids love life and learning.

What was your favorite TV show when you were growing up?
I absolutely loved Sesame Street, Happy Days, and Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Each show had its own way of teaching kindness, curiosity, and life lessons. Mister Rogers left a lasting impression—not just on me, but on my own kids, too. We’ve watched it together, and the messages still hold up today. It’s a great example of how enduring learning can be passed from one generation to the next.

What do you like to do when you’re not working?
I love spending time outdoors with my family. We’re big swimmers and hikers, and we enjoying playing games, laughing, and just being together. That time to connect and recharge is important to me.

How can families keep students stimulated at home for the next school year?
Keeping students engaged over the summer doesn’t have to be complicated. Encourage daily reading, explore educational games or apps, and involve them in real-life learning—like cooking, gardening, or budgeting. The key is to keep it fun and interactive, so they stay curious and ready to learn when school starts again.

 

 

 

 

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Donkey Hodie's "Cousin Hodie Playdate" won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Interactive Media! Congratulations to all teams involved, including our partner, Curious Media, and all the other hee-hawesome people who helped make the game including Spiffy Pictures and PBS KIDS.

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Fred Rogers Productions has extended its partnership with the PNC Foundation. Through PNC Grow Up Great®, the PNC Foundation has awarded a $1.4 million grant to support Alma’s Way, the hit series on PBS KIDS. The grant will also support community events inspired by the series and ongoing Fred Rogers Productions initiatives such as Be My Neighbor Day. PNC Grow Up Great® is a multi-year, bilingual early childhood education initiative that helps children from birth through age 5 develop a love of learning that lasts a lifetime, which aligns with the Fred Rogers Productions mission and its series’ learning goals. PNC’s support of Fred Rogers Productions’ award-winning programming and events are aimed at helping to meet the needs of children and families where they are, a mission shared by both companies.

“We are so pleased to continue our partnership with the PNC Foundation, a valued supporter of educational and arts programs,” said Paul Siefken, president and CEO, Fred Rogers Productions. “Their sponsorship of our programming and outreach initiatives enables us to continue providing valuable content and hands-on experiences for children and families in their neighborhoods nationwide.”

The grant supports a range of onscreen content and outreach programs with educational and pro-social themes, including 49 Be My Neighbor Day events, the successful, longstanding community-based initiative inspired by Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, plus four Alma’s Way community events, and more.

“Fred Rogers Productions has been a terrific collaborator from the earliest days of PNC Grow Up Great, creating quality programming that encourages young children to discover, learn and grow,” said Sally McCrady, chair and president of the PNC Foundation. “Be My Neighbor Days is one of my favorite initiatives across PNC’s markets, helping families think about how they can be great neighbors and the importance of keeping kindness in mind. We’re excited to see the Alma’s Way Explore Your City events take shape.”

The PNC Foundation will be recognized on broadcast and across digital for its generous contribution to make new Alma’s Way episodes possible.
Alma’s Way focuses on core messages and learning goals to encourage children as they develop problem-solving, resilience, empathy, and other life skills. The series follows 6-year-old Alma Rivera, a proud, confident Puerto Rican girl who lives in the Bronx with her family among a diverse group of close-knit friends and community members. In every episode, Alma models self-awareness, responsible decision-making and empathy, while encouraging kids to develop critical thinking skills and value their own ideas and questions. The series, which premiered in 2021, is created by Sonia Manzano (“Maria” on Sesame Street) and produced by Fred Rogers Productions in association with Pipeline Studios (Elinor Wonders Why). Ellen Doherty and Manzano are executive producers. Jorge Aguirre (Goldie & Bear) is head writer and co-executive producer. Additional co-executive producers are Luis Lopez and Juan Lopez. Supervising Producer for Fred Rogers Productions is Olubunmi Mia Olufemi.

Be My Neighbor Day, the signature community outreach initiative for Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood spinoff Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, has attracted several hundred thousand in-person attendees nationwide since the program started in 2014. There have been more than 126,000 resources shared with participants, and attendees have helped create and assemble over 90,000 “giveback” items, such as health and first aid kits and thank you cards, for their communities. More than 30,000 items, such as sweaters and
mittens, have also been collected for donation to the participating locales.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, the beloved animated PBS KIDS series from Fred Rogers Productions, will return for an eighth season. Set to premiere in 2026, Season 8 of the well-loved series that models practical life skills for young children will feature ten new episodes. The order will include two half-hour specials, one introducing Daniel’s cousin, who is adopted, and another showcasing New Year’s Eve traditions in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe. In keeping with the thoughtfulness for which the series has become known, the upcoming season will address relatable themes for preschoolers and their parents, including adoption, managing morning and nighttime routines, cleaning up, patience, and more. It will also revisit its classic “grown-ups come back” parenting strategy with new stories and present a new strategy based on the classic Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood song, “Let’s Think of Something to Do While We’re Waiting.”

“Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood and its helpful, singable strategies have resonated with families since the series first launched in 2012, and it continues to be a favorite today,” said Ellen Doherty, chief creative officer, Fred Rogers Productions. “We’re excited to provide a new season of quality content that includes valuable life lessons while furthering the legacy of Fred Rogers with fresh stories, characters, and adventures.”

“Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood is a shining example of the core mission of public media—to help preschoolers and their families navigate everyday situations and tackle challenges together in positive ways,” said Sara DeWitt, Senior Vice President and General Manager, PBS KIDS. “We are proud to bring Season 8 to PBS KIDS, sharing meaningful and fun stories from the Neighborhood of Make-Believe to uplift, inspire, and enrich the lives of our viewers.”

Fred Rogers Productions will produce new Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood games for the free PBS KIDS Games app and pbskids.org in tandem with Season 8. The company will also work to enhance the accessibility of its popular existing games so that even more children can play and benefit from them. Additionally, Fred Rogers Productions will host several webinars to provide a behind-the-scenes look at the game development for the series in an effort to continue to grow and serve the community of developers who are new to creating educational games for children.

Each episode of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood showcases two distinct stories starring Daniel Tiger and his friends, who invite viewers to join them on their adventures as they explore the colorful Neighborhood of Make-Believe. Each half-hour includes one story from Daniel’s perspective and another from the point of view of other characters including Katerina Kittycat, Miss Elaina, O the Owl, Prince Wednesday, Jodi Platypus, Max, and Chrissie. Irresistible musical strategies reinforce the unique theme of every show so preschoolers, parents, and caregivers can sing along and incorporate them into their daily lives. Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood is produced by Fred Rogers Productions and 9 Story Media Group and animated by award-winning animation studio, Brown Bag Films. Executive producers are Angela C. Santomero, creator of the series; Ellen Doherty, chief creative officer at Fred Rogers Productions; and Vince Commisso, president & CEO, 9 Story Media Group. Supervising Producers are Chris Loggins (Fred Rogers Productions) and Coral Schoug (Brown Bag Films). 9 Story Brands holds worldwide licensing and distribution rights for the series.

Fans can watch Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood on their local PBS station and stream it for free on the PBS KIDS Video app, pbskids.org, and more (no subscription required). Games, activities, and more can be found on pbskids.org/daniel.

 

 

 

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Tell us about yourself and your role in “Alma’s Summertime Musical.”  

I make songs, picture books, and dairy-free ice cream for children and families to enjoy! My role in “Alma's Summertime Musical" is to write songs. I'm super lucky because I get to be creative for a living. For this episode, I got to imagine being a kid living in the Bronx during the summertime, and I wrote lyrics, melodies, and raps that inspired Alma and her friends. I have a pretty cool job!  

Have you worked on projects like this before?   

Yes! I've written songs and done voice acting for other PBS KIDS TV shows and podcasts, such as Work It Out Wombats and Jamming on the Job. I've written and directed a PBS animated series, History of White People in America, and an Emmy-winning PBS Digital Studios web-series called Beat Making Lab. Most of my songs are on my GRAMMY-nominated original albums, which you can stream on Spotify, Apple Music, or wherever else you stream music. Just search my name: Pierce Freelon, and you'll find a bunch of fun, family-friendly songs about Afrofuturism, setting boundaries, brushing your teeth, and little mushrooms!  

Did you have to do any research to prepare? 

Yes, I did lots of research, watching tons and tons of Alma's Way episodes. I also thought about the Bronx, the birthplace of Hip Hop, and tried my best to incorporate themes of fun, community, and summer vibes into my lyrics.  

What was your favorite TV show when you were growing up?  

My favorite TV show as a kid was a PBS show called Reading Rainbow. I loved the theme song and really enjoyed learning about different books. Reading Rainbow was hosted by a cool dude named LeVar Burton, whom I wrote a song about on my album “Black to the Future.” Burton also played a character on my other favorite childhood show, Star Trek: The Next Generation. He played an engineer named Geordi LaForge and was the coolest guy on the spaceship!  

What do you like to do when you’re not working? 

Lucky for me, I get to play for a living! I don't think of it as work. I play music, I write stories, I make dairy-free ice cream, and I get to perform all around the world! When I'm not making money doing that stuff, I like to play basketball with my friends, go on nature walks, ride bikes with my family, and teach kids everything I know about music. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Tell us about yourself and how you got involved with Odd Squad. 

When I was working at CBC, Odd Squad came across my desk, and I instantly loved the script and characters. There was also a pilot episode, but it was different from what you see today. It was filmed in an office setting rather than the type of fantastical headquarters that you see in the series now. 

Not too long after that, I ended up joining Sinking Ship Entertainment and was thrilled to have the opportunity to work on the show with Fred Rogers Productions, TVO, and PBS.   

Describe your role on Odd Squad over the years. 

My role has really evolved over the years on this show. When I joined Sinking Ship, the show was already in production, but the delivery of the first batch of 16 half-hour episodes was looming and it was a very complicated post-production process, partly due to the enormous number of episodes that needed to be delivered at once. At one point we had several mix suites running simultaneously and final VFX being dropped in online. We were still very much in the full swing of production filming every day, so it was quite the bonding experience!  

Once that was done, we really got into a great groove in making the show and many of those production and post-production processes that we nailed down making those first 16 episodes still stand true today.  

From then on my role was to oversee the show as the exec for Sinking Ship, so I was across all elements of the series: working closely with the showrunners, hiring the writers and cast through to making sure that we were doing everything possible to realize the creative vision of the show and working with our producer to ensure the show was delivered on time and on budget.  

Over the last few years, my role has evolved again into helping expand the show into different iterations such as setting up Odd Squad UK with the BBC—and there will be a couple of new soon-to-be announced exciting Odd Squad projects coming down the pipeline.  

What was your favorite TV show when you were growing up? 

I grew up in Australia, so we got a real mix of kids TV from what was made locally and what came from the UK, US, and Canada. It’s hard to choose as there were just so many great shows. but I’d have to say the Australian show Round the Twist has always been a favorite and later Degrassi from Canada was high on my list. There was also a show from the US that I still can’t get out of my head called Small Wonder about a family whose daughter was actually a robot. It was hilarious.  

Do you have a favorite episode of Odd Squad? 

I would have to say the Australian special we filmed in Sydney is one of my all-time favorites. To have so many of the cast and crew travel to where I grew up was a real joy, and having Toni Collette come on board as our Sand Queen villain was a career highlight.  

What do you like to do when you’re not working? 

Living in Canada, nothing beats “lake life” in the summer. Swimming in the crystal-clear water of the many lakes just outside Toronto is a pure joy, and in the winter skating on those lakes is also incredible. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Describe your role at Fred Rogers Productions. 

I’m the Revenue Analyst and a proud member of FRP’s amazing accounting team. My focus is royalties, but I also review other incoming funds and make sure they are reflected accurately in our financial records. 

Tell us about yourself and how your career led you to work in children’s television. 

I’ve always loved the creative arts but pursued a degree in Business & Accounting. After spending a year working as an auditor in Philadelphia, I moved to Northern California. I started taking improv classes, which led to acting classes and auditions. Soon, I was performing regularly and doing accounting part-time.   

Eventually, my family decided to make the cross-country move to Pennsylvania. I was aging out of my role as a stay-at-home mom and wanted to find a job working with wonderful people where I could put my various skills to good use. One day, an accounting job for FRP popped up. It felt like the perfect blend of creativity and finance. I don’t remember EVER feeling so excited about a day job.   

What do you like most about working at Fred Rogers Productions? 

Imagine getting to work with a group of brilliant creators. Each of them is smart, funny, kind, and operating at the top of their game. The work you do as a group enriches the lives of others. That’s what I get to be a part of every day.   

What was your favorite TV show when you were growing up? 

Sesame Street and Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood were so gentle and easy. I loved to sing and dance along with the Mouseketeers on The New Mickey Mouse Club. Laughing along with the grownups while watching The Carol Burnett Show. How can you pick a favorite? 

What do you like to do when you’re not working? 

My husband and I like having “no plans.” When we’re not working, there’s a good chance you’ll find us trying out a new restaurant, taking our labradoodle to Home Depot, or enjoying the wildlife while relaxing on our deck.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Fred Rogers Productions has partnered with Milton Hershey School (MHS), a premiere Hershey, PA-based private school, on a six-month digital sponsorship for Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. The collaboration is a natural fit for the school, where students in pre-K through 12th grade live and learn on campus, and the children’s media organization, which strives to foster an enthusiasm for learning. This marks the first digital sponsorship for the iconic series on MisterRogers.org, where fans can easily access their favorite episodes online. The partnership of the mission-focused organizations was born out of Milton Hershey School’s focus on social and emotional learning and developing critical thinking skills for children’s lifelong success, which are features of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. The sponsorship began in February and runs through July of this year.

“We’re very excited to join forces with a mission-aligned organization like Milton Hershey School,” said Paul Siefken, President & CEO of Fred Rogers Productions. “With the shared goal to provide children with opportunities to learn, follow their curiosity, and develop important lifelong skills, it is a natural fit for collaboration.”

“As Milton Hershey School grows to support even more students, we’re eager to share our life-changing mission with families everywhere through the wonderful programming of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” said Shaun Turner, Senior Director of Enrollment Management and Family Relations at MHS. “This great partnership is not just about raising awareness, though—it’s an extension of our founders’ commitment to educate and empower children.”

The new digital sponsorship features banners and 15-second, pre-roll video on all Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood episodes on the brand’s official website plus social media engagement on Fred Rogers Productions’ owned channels. The campaign highlights the positive impact Milton Hershey School has on students by covering all costs for all who attend, and its long history of educating children in social and financial need to lead fulfilling and productive lives.

About Milton Hershey School

Milton Hershey School is one of the world's best private schools, where qualifying students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade live on campus and receive an exceptional educational experience—with all costs covered. For more information, visit mhskids.org.