Hazel McLaughlin

Hazel McLaughlin is a writer and digital content creator with over 9 years of experience crafting soft and technical content for local and national brands. After several years working in ...

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Hazel's Recent Stories

New Monograph Episode Delves into Birmingham’s Underground Art Scene

New Monograph Episode Delves into Birmingham’s Underground Art Scene

Thursday night at 8:00 we visit with two remarkable organizations that are reimagining art’s role in social transformation.

January 28, 2025


Celebrate Black History Month with 5 Classroom Ready Resources!

Celebrate Black History Month with 5 Classroom Ready Resources!

Teach Black history beyond slavery with these PBS LearningMedia collections.

January 24, 2025


Meet Cullman High School’s Favorite Consumer Science Teacher

Meet Cullman High School’s Favorite Consumer Science Teacher

Our December 2024 Excellence in Education Award winner is Carin Rains! Mrs. Rains is the Family and Consumer Sciences teacher at Cullman High School. Not only does she have 32 years as an educator, but her students say "she is one of the most helpful teachers Cullman has."

December 16, 2024


Meet Nichols-Lawson Middle's School Librarian!

Meet Nichols-Lawson Middle’s School Librarian!

Meet our November 2024 Excellence in Education award winner! Cecelia Dean is the School Librarian at Nichols-Lawson Middle School in Sylacauga. One nominator praised her work with the after school program Alabama Virtual Institute, saying, "Her dedication and leadership provide students a space to feel valued, heard, and empowered to take on new challenges and adventures that can offer exciting paths in learning beyond the regular school day." Congrats, Cecelia!

November 30, 2024


Journey Proud Returns with a Special Thanksgiving Day Finale

Journey Proud Returns with a Special Thanksgiving Day Finale

Host Joey Brackner hits the road in his red pickup to uncover a unique, intergenerational Alabama food tradition.

November 18, 2024


Veterans Day in the Classroom: 5 Kid-Friendly Resources

Veterans Day in the Classroom: 5 Kid-Friendly Resources

Wondering how to discuss veterans in the classroom? Check out these PBS resources for Pre-K and K-12 educators.

November 4, 2024


Life After 50 Years in Education: How This Alabama Teacher Stays Inspired

Life After 50 Years in Education: How This Alabama Teacher Stays Inspired

Our October 2024 Excellence in Education Award winner is Betty Esslinger, an AP Literature teacher at Scottsboro High School! She is a committed, compassionate educator who has been serving her community for over 50 years. One nominee wrote, "She is a role model to all educators, students, and parents. Every community needs a Betty Esslinger."

October 8, 2024


Alabama Public Television Teaches STEM with PBS KIDS!

Alabama Public Television Teaches STEM with PBS KIDS!

Family fun event invites the whole community to learn to ‘Work It Out’

September 24, 2024


Catch

Catch “Travels with Darley” Saturday Afternoons in May

Saturday afternoon at 3:30, PBS star Darley Newman visits Alabama for a two-part tasting of what the state has on offer.

May 8, 2024


Public Radio Wins at the ​​18th Annual ABBY’s

Public Radio Wins at the ​​18th Annual ABBY’s

WLRH’s Arts Underground recognized at Alabama’s Best in Broadcasting Awards

April 29, 2024


Bernice Lewis

Bernice Lewis

Bernice Lewis is our March Excellence in Education recipient! Ms. Lewis has been educating students for over 60 years, including her current school director at Ellwood Christian Academy in Selma, Alabama. While technically retired, Lewis continues to teach math and inspire her colleagues. As the first to arrive on campus or as the top school fundraiser, Lewis has never failed to expect great things from her students or herself.

April 13, 2024


Meet the new host of

Meet the new host of “Monograph”

Springville-based artist Jennifer Wallace Fields takes the helm of "Monograph" season 6 premiering April 25 at 9 p.m.

March 27, 2024


How does an Exceptional Education teacher help her students shine?

How does an Exceptional Education teacher help her students shine?

Ashley Caffey is our February Excellence in Education award winner! Mrs. Caffey is an Exceptional Education teacher in Hoover, creating innovative activities for her students. She is known for her ability to connect with students and families in unique and meaningful ways, both inside and outside the classroom. One nominator described her as a “kind, generous heart, never showing defeat when things are tough.” Congratulations, Ashley!

March 25, 2024


“Travels with Darley” Kicks Off Season 11 in Alabama

“Travels with Darley” Kicks Off Season 11 in Alabama

Saturday afternoon at 3:30, PBS star Darley Newman returns to Alabama for the first of two episodes all about our diverse food scene.

March 4, 2024


Fun, Learning and Magic: Meet Kindergarten teacher Victoria Hogan

Fun, Learning and Magic: Meet Kindergarten teacher Victoria Hogan

We’re proud to announce Victoria Hogan is our January Excellence in Education award recipient! Mrs. Hogan is a kindergarten teacher at Highlands Elementary in Dothan, Alabama. One parent said in their nomination, “Mrs. Hogan builds her kids up and reminds them of their worth while teaching them to find the good in others.” She goes above and beyond for her students, adapting lessons and creating special moments in an otherwise ordinary day.

February 7, 2024


Jackie Clay Says Farewell to Monograph After 5 Years as Host

Jackie Clay Says Farewell to Monograph After 5 Years as Host

Watch Jackie's last episode and meet Alabama ceramicists Kyle Miller, Charles Smith and Jennifer Wallace Fields.

January 23, 2024


Q&A with English Teacher and Co-Theater Director Chris Farris

Q&A with English Teacher and Co-Theater Director Chris Farris

We’re proud to announce Chris Farris is our December Excellence in Education award recipient! Mr. Farris is typically a 10-12th grade English/Language Arts teacher, but this year he’s expanded, teaching 8th grade students as well. He believes in his school and is always working to push his students to great heights through education and the arts.

January 16, 2024


Q&A with APT's November Teacher of the Month

Q&A with APT’s November Teacher of the Month

Congratulations! Melissa Lewis is our November Excellence in Education award recipient. While she’s new to Pell City, she’s found the community to be very supportive. After over 20 years of experience teaching the sciences in public and private schools, Melissa is currently a biology teacher at Pell City High School.

December 19, 2023


Curiosity and Mentorship: Get to know educator Theresa Shadrix

Curiosity and Mentorship: Get to know educator Theresa Shadrix

Congratulations to Theresa Shadrix, our October 2023 Excellence in Education award recipient. Her students at Jacksonville High School nominated her for this award. Shadrix, an English Language Arts and Creative Writing teacher with 12 years of experience, runs the social media handles for her high school with help from her student media team, Golden Eagle Media (GEM).

November 16, 2023


Q&A with APT's September Teacher of the Month

Q&A with APT’s September Teacher of the Month

We are thrilled to announce that kindergarten teacher and 2023 Riley Scholar Willie Davis is the September recipient of the APT Excellence in Education award! Mr. Davis is a passionate, life-long learner with 11 years of K-12 teaching experience. Currently, he teaches at Charles Hard Elementary School in Bessemer, Alabama.

October 13, 2023


Q&A with APT's August Teacher of the Month

Q&A with APT’s August Teacher of the Month

Susan Norrell is the inaugural recipient for the APT Excellence in Education award! Ms. Norrell is a gifted teacher at Daphne Middle School with 15 years of experience. She is enthusiastic about enhancing lessons and encouraging fellow educators to innovate. We were excited to hear that Ms. Norrell actively uses APT and PBS LearningMedia resources in her classroom as well!

September 14, 2023


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