JXN // education
Building an Educational Bridge through ‘Chalkboard Ch@t’ // by Michele D. Baker
L
Antonio MAck
ifelong learners recognized Friday, Nov. 13, as a lucky departments such as radio and television and will feature mation on education and learning as a whole and not just day after all. On this day Mississippi Public Broad- both single-issue episodes and themed series to allow for in the classroom. The world is our teacher and learning casting’s education department launched its new pod- deep dives into topics with lots of thorough discussion outside of the classroom is as equally important as education that takes place inside of the classroom.” cast, “Chalkboard Ch@t,” to bring relevant In addition to reminding listeners about information and resources to parents, guardians, some of the educational programs and services educators, students, education entities and other already in place—like MPB Classroom TV, “Ed community stakeholders. Said,” MBP Kids Club, Parents Are Teachers Too, “With COVID changing the way we get inTeacher Features and more—the dynamic pair formation, we wanted to follow the upward trend will bring in experts like Toni Lewis, a licensed toward themed podcasts,” co-host and MPB educlinical social worker, to speak on the educational cation director Tara Y. Wren says. “We’re merging challenges faced by children during a pandemic. the nostalgia of a chalkboard with the current-day Future experts include teacher Sharetia Jones idea of a podcast to build a bridge for education. of Irving, Texas, in a “slate session,” a special seg“The main goal of ‘Chalkboard Ch@t’ is to ment where educators from across the U.S. offer have meaningful conversations that direct Missistools, tips, and beneficial practices. sippians to ‘right-now’ resources, tools, tips and MPB invites listeners to submit suggesstrategies that will propel them to navigate through tions, speak out and “join the ch@t” by posting on the evolving education ecosystem,” she adds. Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or by sendWren and co-host Germaine Flood plan to Co-hosts Germaine Flood (left) and Tara Wren (right) lead ing an email to education@mpbonline.org. discuss a variety of topics associated with educating Mississippi Public Broadcast’s latest podcast, “Chalkboard Ch@t.” New episodes release each Friday. Mississippi’s children and adults alike, including Listen to “Chalkboard Ch@t” at shows.acast.com/ digital learning, health, politics, the digital divide, work- and practical details. force and career-readiness issues, and other subjects. The “Our primary goals are to help guide our conversa- chalkboardchat. Michele D. Baker is a freelance travel podcast will also cover educational concerns of Mississippi tions by connecting the dots across all of our departments writer and blues music fan in Jackson. She has three cats, students, teachers and parents. here at MPB to emerging trends in education,” Flood says. too many books, and listens to public radio. Visit MicheleD“Chalkboard Ch@t” offers crossover to other MPB “We want to take a holistic approach in providing infor- Baker.com to learn more.
JXN // wellness
Perrls of Wellness, Empowering Women through Health // by torsheta Jackson
November 25 - December 8, 2020 • jfp.ms
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empower women to take back their lives, by first taking back their health. “We all know what to eat or how to eat because there is tons of informacourtesy MAry L. WiLLiAMs
W
hen Mary L. Williams was in her early 20s, her mother had a mild heart attack. After she recovered, doctors sent her home with pages of written instructions given to her at discharge. For a while, Williams witnessed her mother follow the recommendations and maintain her health. But as time passed, she slipped back into her old, comfortable, more unhealthy habits. Williams believes things could have gone differently. “I believe if she had had one-on-one help and encouragement that she would have really stuck with the recommended lifestyle changes,” she says. Williams’ mother and aunts developed chronic health conditions and eventually succumbed to them. The Flora native saw their deaths as reflective of the plight of many women in Mississippi, specifically African American women. Thus, she created Perrls of Wellness, LLC, in 2013 to
Mary L. Williams started Perrls of Wellness after her mother’s illness.
tion on the internet, but sometimes we need somebody to walk us through and to walk with us during this journey,” she
says. “That’s what I offer as a coach, to walk with you through this journey.” In her role as a health and wellness coach, the Army veteran offers a holistic approach to health management. She provides eating strategies and counsels women on how to be more active and to manage stress. In addition, she regularly updates Perrls of Wellness’ Facebook page with evidence-based, relevant and accurate information that her followers can use to make informed health choices. She also hosts a self-titled podcast on the second Wednesday of every month to ensure that women stay informed on the latest health and wellness issues. Williams, a registered nurse, works at the VA Hospital as an RN case manager with the homeless program. She has had extensive training in health coaching through the University of Wisconsin’s Integrated Health program and the National Society of Health Coaching.
Williams says that too often people place their health outcomes in the hands of doctors and specialists, and she hopes that Perrls of Wellness encourages them to retake responsibility for their own wellness as well by adopting lifestyle practices that serve as preventative care. “I feel like we believe that ‘My mom had this, or my grandmother had this, so I’m just destined to have this.’ I want the women that I come in contact with to know that that’s not (necessarily) true,” Williams says. “You don’t have to have diabetes because your mother had it and your mother’s mother had it. “You don’t have to have high blood pressure because they said that it runs in your family. You can change your own destiny. You can change your own life by taking control of your health.” To learn more about Perrls of Wellness, find the nonprofit on Facebook, or listen to its podcast on iTunes and other platforms.
