Meet Jaer Armstead-Jones

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jaer Armstead-Jones a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jaer, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

After my divorce in my early thirties, I felt as if I were starting over. This devastating family event prompted me to revisit the question, “What do you want to do when you grow up?” At thirteen, I had decided I wanted to be a teacher. However, I also dreamed of becoming a newspaper reporter or a magazine writer. So, after the divorce, I returned to school and earned a master’s degree in secondary education. While in school, I worked at a juvenile facility and realized the strong connection between illiteracy and teen crime. Armed with that knowledge, I began teaching reading and writing as a middle school English teacher and devoted myself to writing fiction that young people could read, understand, and grow from. So, my mission and purpose is to educate teenagers in various methods through books collaborating with music.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I have been a dedicated middle school English teacher for 17 years. My dynamic teaching approach reflects my passion for literature and writing. With a background in journalism, I have contributed as a reporter and writer for both campus and local newspapers. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Media Communication and a master’s degree in Secondary Education.

Beyond the classroom, I channel diverse sports, music, and education interests into crafting compelling stories that blend real-life scenarios with fictional prose and poetry. My debut novel, “My Invisible Father” explores themes of spirituality and diversity through engaging characters. To enhance the reader’s experience, I also integrate original music and music videos with books, providing a multi-media and audiovisual experience. My business, Jaer Media Group LLC, is the driving force behind producing books and music in cohesion to provide teens and young adults with entertainment and meaningful messages. “My Invisible Name” will be the sequel to “My Invisible Father” and includes a music soundtrack. It will be published in 2025.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Even though I love music and believe I have a talent for writing, I have dedicated countless hours to researching the crafts of effective writing and music-making. Webinars, podcasts, and books have been and continue to be invaluable resources for me. I believe that a combination of learning, experience, and God-given talent are the three key qualities that have most influenced my journey and can help others as they pursue their own dreams, goals, or journeys in any field.

We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?

I believe it is best to be well-rounded in any area you are pursuing rather than focusing all your energy and effort on your strongest attributes. I often use an analogy from my time coaching middle and high school basketball. Imagine a player who excels at making right-handed layups and practices them diligently every day but puts little-to-no-effort into making left-handed layups. When the time comes in a game where they need to make a left-handed layup on the left side of the basket to tie or win the game, they will lack the skill and confidence to succeed.

Life doesn’t always go as planned, but being well-rounded and having multi-faceted responses can help you achieve positive results in any situation. The stronger you are in various areas, the better you are informed and equipped to accomplish multiple goals and overcome many obstacles.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jaermediagroupllc.com
• Instagram: @pen_of_a_skillful_writer
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jarrod.jones.1840/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarrod-jones-48947679/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr3lXBD_FVS_FqxzxH4wtuQ
• Other: tiktok:
  www.tiktok.com/@mytongueisapen

Image Credits

Jaer Media Group LLC