Even in Retirement, Bill Isler Remains a Lifelong Champion for Children and Families

Type: News

With a career spanning education, public service, and media, Bill Isler embodies a life dedicated to children, families, and community growth.

A Pittsburgh native, Isler's journey is a tapestry of impactful roles, culminating in his pivotal leadership at Fred Rogers Productions, where he continued Fred Rogers' legacy of nurturing children’s emotional and intellectual development and wellbeing.

Born and raised in Brookline in the South Hills of Pittsburgh, Isler was drafted into the Army at an early age and returned from service with a renewed sense of purpose, prompted by a friend’s suggestion to channel his talents into working with children. This pivotal moment led him to complete his undergraduate studies at Saint Vincent College and pursued graduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh.

Isler was an elementary school teacher, day-care teacher, and executive director of Mon Valley Community Health Services before getting married to his wife Mardi, moving to Harrisburg, and joining the Pennsylvania Department of Education, where his career flourished. He served in several influential roles over his eight years there, including as Executive Assistant to the Secretary of Education, Commissioner of Basic Education, and Senior Program Advisor for Early Childhood Education. His leadership during a transformative era in the late 1970s and early 1980s helped shape state education policy, and his work earned him widespread respect. He also served on the Pittsburgh Public School Board.

Isler, a member of the Jonas Salk Polio Vaccine test group in elementary school, is proud of his work to expand immunization regulations to require immunization, or proof of immunization not just when a child entered school in preschool but if they moved to Pennsylvania from another state and entered any grade.

Additionally, he was involved in advocating for quality, developmentally appropriate programming for preschool age children, the establishment of the Early Learning Investment Council during Governor Tom Ridge’s administration and was an advocate for setting training requirements and minimum reimbursements for staff working with preschool-age children. As a result, more children are receiving PreK experiences in childcare than were before these initiatives started.

“Pennsylvania was seen as a leader, and I think, in many ways, is still seen as a leader in PreK education, and corporate leadership has been instrumental in that,” Isler said.

In the early 1980s, Isler transitioned to Family Communications, Inc. (now Fred Rogers Productions), the home of the beloved television program Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Moving from Harrisburg to Pittsburgh, over the next 30 years, Isler worked alongside Fred Rogers, eventually succeeding him as president of Family Communications, Inc. This marked a profound chapter in Isler’s career, where he merged creativity, innovation, and a focus on child-centered programming.Fred Rogers died February 27, 2003, leaving big shoes to fill (as Rogers created all the music for the program, performed the character voices, and wrote all its scripts). Isler and his creative team reimagined a way to help the familiar faces of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, and Mister Rogers’ lessons, live on for a new audience.

Under Isler’s leadership, the company embraced its roots while evolving to meet the needs of modern families. The result was the development of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, a groundbreaking animated series that captures the essence of the original program while incorporating fresh approaches, such as strategy songs and repeatable content.

The series, which first aired on PBS 13 years ago, became a cornerstone of preschool programming, teaching young viewers emotional intelligence and practical life skills. Collaborating with creative talents like Angela Santomera, the creator of Blue’s Clues, and Pittsburgh’s own Jesse Schell, Isler ensured that the company maintained its reputation for excellence and impact.

In remembering the creation of both shows, Isler highlights the importance of partnerships with pediatricians and other experts as the cornerstone to forming the messages that Fred Rogers (and in turn, Daniel Tiger) shared with his young viewers, especially when integrating health and mental health topics into programming.

Fred Rogers’ groundbreaking approach to addressing emotions—whether through memorable songs or moments of silence to reflect on gratitude—remains a cornerstone of the company’s philosophy, a legacy Isler continues to uphold.

When ‘The Neighborhood’ launched in the 1960s, Head Start was also prepared for its statewide opening. As ‘The Neighborhood’ went on, research on early brain development grew along with the knowledge of the importance of early child development.

Isler’s work at Fred Rogers Productions reflects a deep commitment to the principles Fred Rogers championed: understanding children’s developmental stages, fostering communication within families, and addressing sensitive topics with care and authenticity. The company’s projects – from books to television programs – helps families tackle themes like grief, health, and inclusion, always prioritizing the emotional well-being of young viewers.

“Fred never used personal pronouns. When people would say, we like your program, he would say, I'm happy that you can utilize our work. It was never me, and I thought that was important, because it was a team approach,” Isler said.

Today, Fred Rogers Productions is the largest producer of preschool programming for PBS, a testament to Isler’s vision and stewardship.

“The company today is growing. I left seven years ago and am still on the Board, and still enjoy the work it is doing,” Isler said.

Isler retired in 2016, however, Fred Rogers’ mantra, “Life is for service,” remains a guiding principle in his life. Whether shaping state education policy, developing beloved children’s programming, or mentoring the next generation of leaders, he exemplifies this ethos in every endeavor.

As he continues to serve on the board of Fred Rogers Productions and other organizations like the Jewish Healthcare Foundation, Isler remains a steadfast advocate for children, families, and the enduring power of relationships. His journey is a reminder of the profound impact that one dedicated individual can have in fostering a more caring and thoughtful world.Additionally, he was involved in advocating for quality, developmentally appropriate programming for preschool age children, the establishment of the Early Learning Investment Council during Governor Tom Ridge’s administration and was an advocate for setting training requirements and minimum reimbursements for staff working with preschool-age children. As a result, more children are receiving PreK experiences in childcare than were before these initiatives started.

“Pennsylvania was seen as a leader, and I think, in many ways, is still seen as a leader in PreK education, and corporate leadership has been instrumental in that,” Isler said.

In the early 1980s, Isler transitioned to Family Communications, Inc. (now Fred Rogers Productions), the home of the beloved television program Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Moving from Harrisburg to Pittsburgh, over the next 30 years, Isler worked alongside Fred Rogers, eventually succeeding him as president of Family Communications, Inc. This marked a profound chapter in Isler’s career, where he merged creativity, innovation, and a focus on child-centered programming.

Fred Rogers died February 27, 2003, leaving big shoes to fill (as Rogers created all the music for the program, performed the character voices, and wrote all its scripts). Isler and his creative team reimagined a way to help the familiar faces of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, and Mister Rogers’ lessons, live on for a new audience.

Under Isler’s leadership, the company embraced its roots while evolving to meet the needs of modern families. The result was the development of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, a groundbreaking animated series that captures the essence of the original program while incorporating fresh approaches, such as strategy songs and repeatable content.

The series, which first aired on PBS 13 years ago, became a cornerstone of preschool programming, teaching young viewers emotional intelligence and practical life skills. Collaborating with creative talents like Angela Santomera, the creator of Blue’s Clues, and Pittsburgh’s own Jesse Schell, Isler ensured that the company maintained its reputation for excellence and impact.

In remembering the creation of both shows, Isler highlights the importance of partnerships with pediatricians and other experts as the cornerstone to forming the messages that Fred Rogers (and in turn, Daniel Tiger) shared with his young viewers, especially when integrating health and mental health topics into programming.

Fred Rogers’ groundbreaking approach to addressing emotions—whether through memorable songs or moments of silence to reflect on gratitude—remains a cornerstone of the company’s philosophy, a legacy Isler continues to uphold.

When ‘The Neighborhood’ launched in the 1960s, Head Start was also prepared for its statewide opening. As ‘The Neighborhood’ went on, research on early brain development grew along with the knowledge of the importance of early child development.

Isler’s work at Fred Rogers Productions reflects a deep commitment to the principles Fred Rogers championed: understanding children’s developmental stages, fostering communication within families, and addressing sensitive topics with care and authenticity. The company’s projects – from books to television programs – helps families tackle themes like grief, health, and inclusion, always prioritizing the emotional well-being of young viewers.

“Fred never used personal pronouns. When people would say, we like your program, he would say, I'm happy that you can utilize our work. It was never me, and I thought that was important, because it was a team approach,” Isler said.

Today, Fred Rogers Productions is the largest producer of preschool programming for PBS, a testament to Isler’s vision and stewardship.

“The company today is growing. I left seven years ago and am still on the Board, and still enjoy the work it is doing,” Isler said.

Isler retired in 2016, however, Fred Rogers’ mantra, “Life is for service,” remains a guiding principle in his life. Whether shaping state education policy, developing beloved children’s programming, or mentoring the next generation of leaders, he exemplifies this ethos in every endeavor.

As he continues to serve on the board of Fred Rogers Productions and other organizations like the Jewish Healthcare Foundation, Isler remains a steadfast advocate for children, families, and the enduring power of relationships. His journey is a reminder of the profound impact that one dedicated individual can have in fostering a more caring and thoughtful world.

At the Jewish Healthcare Foundation (JHF), Isler has served as a Board member and on multiple advisory committees over the past 30+ years. He currently sits on JHF’s Board of Trustees and remains in awe of its global reach and impact, the diversity of health issues it continues to confront, and that the organization is ever-evolving and ever-learning.

“The Jewish Healthcare Foundation is one of the most vibrant organizations I’ve ever been associated with. It is continuously advocating for health throughout the entire community, from birth to death,” Isler said. “It is a leader in promoting health and working to solve difficult issues, like patient safety. I always walk away from a Board meeting knowing more than when I went in.”

As a Board member of the Jewish Community Center (JCC), Isler said the JCC was able to remain open to the public during the pandemic because of the support of JHF, including providing activities for children out of school and feeding seniors.

“Much of that wouldn’t have been possible without the guidance and the support of the Jewish Healthcare Foundation,” Isler added.

Looking back over the lessons he learned in collaborating with Fred Rogers, Isler said the two messages from Mr. Rogers that most resonates with him when reflecting on the work of the Foundation is: “Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable” and “look for the helpers.”

He reflected how the Foundation’s tireless work in patient safety, teen mental health, and in response to the AIDS epidemic continues to bring issues to the forefront and make progress toward better outcomes.

“JHF is an organization that continues to serve, and the people at the Foundation are at their core helpers,” Isler said.

The foundation is proud to celebrate Bill’s continued contributions in 2024 and beyond. Read more about his recent recognition as one of the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle's 2024 Volunteers of the Year. We also congratulate him on being named in the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh’s Righteous Among The Neighbors 2024 Class of Honorees, an honor given to non-Jewish Pittsburghers who support the Jewish community and take action to uproot antisemitism.