Mr. Jeff Jones was recently honored as the Decatur County District Teacher of the Month for September after being selected as the Riverside High School Teacher of the Month. In a conversation with Jeff, we asked him about his history, philosophy of teaching, and what he enjoys the most about his profession:
Jeff is a Decatur County native and graduate of Riverside High School. He attended UT Martin for his undergrad, earning his bachelor’s in education. He later went on to attend Bethel University where he earned his master’s in Education and Instruction. Mr. Jeff has called Decatur County Schools his home for not only his education, but the entirety of his teaching career. He taught his first 10 years at Decatur County Middle School, where he said he came to teach under his favorite principal, Mr. Chris Villaflor. Jeff accredits his education and love for Decatur County Schools to Mr. V. In 2020, Jeff moved to Riverside High School where he is currently teaching.
Mr. Jones said that his favorite part of teaching is not what he teaches the students, but what the students teach him at times. “The most challenging part of teaching is wondering if you are doing something that is making a positive difference every day,” said Jeff.
When asked about his philosophy of education, Mr. Jones said, “it is not mine, but I have taken it to heart. I remember Mr. V. always telling us to love them first and teach them second. It has been my experience that if you do this the rest will take care of itself.” Mr. Jeff said the reason he chooses to teach in Decatur County is because he was blessed to have really great teachers growing up and he likes the idea of trying to do the same of someone else here.
We are so proud of Mr. Jeff Jones and glad that he returned home to continue educating the children of Decatur County and for being so dedicated to his students. Thank you to American Fidelity insurance for providing a gift to Mr. Jones for this accomplishment.