February 2, 2026
For Immediate Release
CONTACT:
Office of Communications
301-952-6001
communications@pgcps.org
UPPER MARLBORO, MD — Following the 2026 State of the Schools address where Interim Superintendent Dr. Shawn Joseph declared a new “acceleration imperative” for the district, Prince George's County Public Schools (PGCPS) has been named a national leader in educational equity. The district is the recipient of Pocketalk’s Education Changemaker Award, recognized for its pioneering use of secure translation technology to support its diverse student body.
The recognition comes as PGCPS centers AI Literacy as one of five “Strategic Accelerants” designed to move the district from “variance to velocity”. Serving more than 131,000 students who represent 116 countries and speak 123 languages, PGCPS is leveraging AI-powered tools like Pocketalk to ensure language is never a barrier to care, connection, or academic achievement.
“In our schools, language should never be a barrier to safety, dignity, or belonging,” said Interim Superintendent Dr. Shawn Joseph. “Our work is about moving outcomes, not just maintaining systems, and this award reflects our commitment to disrupting cycles of inequity. By providing real-time, private translation, we are ensuring that every family feels seen, heard, and valued from the moment they enter our buildings.”
The district's language access strategy is a core component of its “Five Big Rocks,” specifically the goal of improving outcomes for multilingual learners. Implementation began in August 2024 with school nurses to support urgent health communication and has since expanded to front offices, counseling teams, and classrooms. Today, every school nurse is equipped with a Pocketalk device, allowing students to communicate sensitive health concerns directly and securely without relying on peers to translate.
“Pocketalk allows our staff to communicate with respect and privacy,” said Dr. Jennifer Love, Director of Language Access. “It is a productivity partner that helps our staff reclaim time and focus on what they do best: supporting our students”.
PGCPS was the first large district in Maryland to launch a comprehensive AI Framework and Board policy, ensuring that tools used for language access also meet the highest standards for student privacy and security.
For more details, visit the Pocketalk Impact Awards webpage and look for the Education Changemaker Award link.
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