KEVIN JONES REDWATER INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
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These moments stand out because it shows educators what a difference we can make in students’ lives when we are sold out to what we are doing by truly teaching– not because it is a job, but because it is a passion.
Kevin Jones is starting his thirtieth year in education. He chose this career path after spending time with young people as a youth worker and minister during his college years. Kevin attended high school at Maud ISD and was raised in the church. He says that when the doors were open, his family was there. After graduation from high school, Kevin went to college at East Texas Baptist College (now East Texas Baptist University), and he worked in different ministries geared toward youth. “I worked in the Clown Ministry (yep, I wore a big Red Nose), a drama group called Image, and I served as Home Missionary for the Southern Baptist Convention in Wyoming, where I later would serve as a youth minister,” Kevin says. “Even today, my family is involved in the church. I am active with my Sunday School class at First Baptist Church Moores Lane and teach on a rotation basis.” In 1984, Kevin graduated from college and joined the US Army. He spent eight years in the Army working in the Unit Ministry Team, ministering to soldiers and their families. “Then, I developed arthritis, and I knew it would result in complications, so I left the Army in 1992 with the desire to re-enter college and pursue a degree in education,” Kevin says. “With my military experience, I wanted to make a difference in how students viewed the government and what our wonderful nation does for its citizens.” Through his years in education, Kevin says that the greatest rewards come from seeing a 018
student succeed, which motivates Kevin on the most challenging days. Kevin is also motivated daily by his coworkers. “All my career, I have been surrounded by amazing professionals, fellow teachers, paraprofessionals, principals, superintendents, and students that have taught me and are still teaching me every day,” Kevin says. “I am so very grateful to my principal Ms. Cody. She is ALWAYS available, and she is positive, supportive, and encouraging in the toughest of situations. She is never demanding but is always willing to patiently listen and offer suggestions and recommendations that might work. Then she empowers me to act on those thoughts while giving me the ability to work knowing she’s ‘got my back.’” A LT M a g a z i n e | A u g u s t 2 0 2 2
