WTCI’s Ready to Learn service provides parents, teachers, and caregivers in the Tennessee Valley with public television resources that help children develop a lifelong love of learning. WTCI builds partnerships with community organizations, childcare networks, schools, libraries, and government agencies.

WTCI uses PBS Kids programming and related multimedia content to help improve the literacy skills of children, especially those from low-income families. Through this initiative WTCI is supporting early literacy in the Tennessee Valley viewing area.
WTCI provides a variety of services to children, their parents and caregivers by:

• broadcasting over sixty hours of educational children’s programming every week
• distributing free books to children who otherwise might not have access to books
• partnering with other agencies and organizations to help all our children be Ready To Learn and ready to read when they enter school.

On-Air:

Producers of some of the most imaginative educational programming are working with literacy experts and researchers to develop content and tools to engage kids and help them learn to read. PBS KIDS Raising Readers is a literacy approach to surround children and families, teachers, and communities with educational messages and engaging literacy opportunities where they live and learn.

Community Involvement:

WTCI engages with community and education organizations to broaden and deepen the impact of WTCI’s media to effect positive change. Through parent & professional development workshops, public screenings, and special events, WTCI serves people of all ages, with a particular emphasis on reaching underserved communities.

WTCI’s 2010 Hamilton County school partner is Hillcrest Elementary. WTCI will provide tours, parent workshops and educational materials. The school will also receive books collected at WTCI’s annual Family Fun Day, which will be held November 7, 2010. Hillcrest Elementary School has launched a 20 for 20 campaign to raise funds for 20 classrooms between Sept. 7 and Nov. 9. Businesses interested in donating to the 20 for 20 campaign are asked to contact Ms. Katrina Overton at (423) 855-2602.