KYTHF

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Marie Jones

Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame Inductee, 2015

A native of West Liberty, Marie Jones began her teaching career in 1948 at Spaws Creek, a one-room schoolhouse in Montgomery County. At Spaws Creek, Jones not only taught all eight grade levels, she also started the fire each morning, cleaned the classroom, and prepared lunches for the students. Jones attended Kentucky Wesleyan College (1947-48), Morehead State University (1949-51), and earned her bachelor’s (1952-53) and master’s degrees (1958) at the University of Kentucky.

In 1949, she went back to college to finish her teaching degree. Upon graduation, Jones started working for the Scott County School District (1953) at Stamping Ground High School where she taught typing and other business related classes. In 1955, she moved to the newly opened Scott County High School in Georgetown, where she continued teaching and serving as Chair of the school’s business department until her retirement (1990). Following her “official” retirement, Jones continued to work at SCHS on a part-time basis until her “final” retirement in 2013, at the age of 84.

During the course of her teaching career, Jones taught students how to type on the first manual style typewriter and later the computer keyboard. She educated them on important life skills such as how to balance a checkbook, type a business letter, and address an envelope. Beyond the classroom, Jones devoted 58 of her 60 plus years in education serving as sponsor of the senior class and coordinating all aspects of the graduation ceremony and senior class activities. Over the years, she also served as a sponsor of the cheerleading team, FBLA and PEP Club.

Jones’ nominators stated: “She empowers us as young students to take over, take charge, and to lead with confidence”; and “Her example and concern for young people transcends generations.”