Hope Jones has served as director of ELA-8 since July 2014. She has 24 years of experience at schools in Alabama, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and California, serving most recently as assistant head of lower school at Viewpoint School in Calabasas, Calif. Jones holds a B.A. in Elementary Education and English from the University of Alabama – Huntsville as well as an M.A. in Middle Level Curriculum and Instruction from George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. She and her husband, Charles, have two children, Hannah (’17) and Charlie (’22).
Q&A with Brent Bell
Hope Jones
When did you first know that you wanted to be an educator?
I knew I wanted to teach after playing hours and hours of school with my little sister when I was in second grade. I would make her write the alphabet and her name over and over again. Needless to say, she has beautiful handwriting now. My aspirations were confirmed when I took my first Shakespeare class my senior year in high school. Having a teacher embrace “Macbeth” and “Hamlet” showed me the power of teaching. I still correspond with her even to this day.
What do you love about working in independent schools? I love the school community. Being part of an independent school allows for collaboration among colleagues, parents and students. I love the freedom to create curriculum that enhances the learning opportunities for all students. Independent schools provide unique learning experiences for students in all areas, including, but not limited to, the fine arts, athletics, servant leadership and student life.
What do you enjoy most about working with children? Every day is a new day! Children embrace passion!
Who are three people in your life who have inspired you and why? My high school English teacher because she was passionate about teaching literature and believed in me as a student. My mother because she was my superhero. She raised four children, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She is my confidence and my bravery. She is my strength and my sensitivity. She is my compassion and even my laughter. My husband because when I first met him my freshman year in college, he was the most ambitious person I had ever met. He drives my ambition while supporting my passion.
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What are some of the things you are most proud of accomplishing in your career thus far?
Having an opportunity to work at top independent schools in the nation and be a contributing member of their intellectual community; studying, developing, and implementing curriculum in a variety of settings and content areas; and being able to balance a family life with my passion for work.
What are some of the qualities you were looking for as you sought a head of school position? The friendly and welcoming faculty, the fact that the ELA-8 division blends my two passions (the lower and middle grades), the sense of community in that Darlington is truly one school on one campus, the string program and Instrumental Music Conservatory (which was important for my children), the amazing facilities and campus, and – of course – the Southern charm (it’s great to be back in the South!)
As a mother, what were you and your husband looking for in terms of educational opportunities for your children and how has Darlington fulfilled your needs and wants? Moving a rising fifth-grader and tenth-grader can be tricky. Knowing their unique and different personalities, we were looking for a school community where both children could find a sense of belonging. Solid academics, athletic opportunities and a strong music program were our priorities. The Music Conservatory offered an additional opportunity that we never dreamed a school would be able to offer our children. In our search, we were certain that we, as parents, would have to have some give and take. However, Darlington fulfilled all our needs as a family.
What role did Darlington’s mission and values play in your decision to come here? I read Darlington’s mission statement before I ever stepped on campus. When I first arrived, I quickly realized that the school’s mission is a Living Mission. From learning with passion to acting with integrity and serving with respect, the Darlington Community embraces the true essence of the mission. Each day in the ELA8, we start by reciting our mission statement at Flagpole. It is a strong reminder of the importance of passion, integrity and respect.
Darlington is a day and boarding school; what about this opportunity was most exciting to you? It allows me the opportunity to be part of the residential life here at Darlington. Whether I am hanging out with students in the Huffman Athletic Center or competing in RUMPUS Fear Factor, I belong to a much larger community than just the ELA-8. I feel connected to this community in a way that I never imagined.
How do you think the day/boarding environment here at Darlington makes our ELA-8 program stronger? Having students from surrounding areas as well as all over the world enriches our school as a whole. The students are able to engage in one-school events, building a true sense of community. They understand the value of having two divisions and how those two divisions can come together for a greater cause, whether it is servant leadership or just participating in cross-divisional academic experiences like the Insect Expo.
What have you most enjoyed about working with Darlington’s faculty and staff so far? Darlington is very welcoming and I was accepted quickly into the community. I have enjoyed getting to know the faculty and discovering more about what inspires them. They have an impressive work ethic. They are passionate about providing our students with unique experiences that set Darlington apart from other schools.
Darlington Magazine