Shalong Hamilton, SNAP-Ed educator in Greene and Hale counties, will give it her all when providing nutrition education to multiple west Alabama audiences.

Forming Relationships

While teachers and students were sent home because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hamilton used her relationship with Tracy Jemison, Greensboro Elementary School reading specialist, to reach out to students. Jemison had a weekly Facebook Live session with between 150 and 300 viewers. Hamilton would join and lead nutrition education classes with the viewers.

“I would teach a lesson about healthy eating tips for about 30 minutes, which helped me prepare for teaching virtually this fall,” Hamilton said. “Working with Mrs. Jemison and her viewers not only helped me be a better teacher, but I also received good feedback.”

During the summer, Hamilton conducted an Eat Better, Move More program virtually for students at the Boys and Girls Club in Hale County despite the COVID-19 pandemic. She said the program lasted for four weeks, and even though the education was meant to be delivered in person, Hamilton was set on ensuring the curriculum was fun and entertaining even in the virtual format.

Social Media

Hamilton also used her counties’ Extension Facebook pages to provide education. She used Facebook Live to provide quick nutrition tips and perform cooking demonstrations based on Live Well Alabama recipe cards.

“I always stressed using what people had at home instead of going to the store if they could help it,” Hamilton said. “I picked quick, healthy recipes that were kid-friendly so the entire family could get involved.”

Hamilton created a COVID-19 Facebook page for Greene and Hale counties. The social media handle delivered information about food resources, credible COVID-19 information, and nutrition education tips shared from the Live Well Alabama Facebook page. As of September, she had more than 400 members actively engaged in the content.

To contact Hamilton, SNAP-Ed educator in Hale and Greene counties, call (334) 624-8710 or email her at soh0011@aces.edu.

To find more success stories about SNAP-Ed educators, visit LiveWellAlabama.com.

Shalong Hamilton, SNAP-Ed Educator in Hale and Greene counties.