John Jones was been elected to his peers’ highest state office — president of the Alabama Association of School Personnel Administrators (AASPA).

In his role as AASPA president, Jones will preside at all meetings, appoint and supervise all committees, along with preparing and presenting an annual report of the association’s operations and activities. The AASPA Executive Committee and membership can assign other duties as needed.

Jones started his career in education at Buckhorn High School in New Market as an agri-science teacher. He taught at Buckhorn for 14 years. He then accepted the position of assistant principal at Bob Jones High School where he worked for three years.

“I was raised in Madison County, and I am a Buckhorn High School graduate,” Jones said. He attended Calhoun Community College. He then studied agri-science technology education, earning a bachelor’s degree at Auburn University and a master’s degree at Alabama A&M University. He received a master’s degree as educational administrator at the University of Alabama.

“I decided to become an educator because of the profound impact that several teachers and coaches made in my life,” Jones said. “Two in particular were Mr. Jimmy Knight, a history teacher, and Mr. Tom Hardy, a horticulture teacher, who provided great guidance for me to become a teacher.”

Jones expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work with students and assist in their becoming successful and productive citizens. “Teaching, in my opinion, is truly a calling,” Jones said.

From his career, he highly admired the perseverance of a student who was deaf and legally blind. “He never let his disabilities prevent him from being successful in class. His attitude and outlook on life were incredible. We all learned so much from him!” Jones said.

He is married to Angela Jones, who works as a customer service specialist for the Martha Pullen Company. They have two children — Josh Jones, 20, and Jonna Jones, 18, who both are students at Calhoun.