Administrator Spotlight

Dr. Debbie Jones

Superintendent, Bentonville School District

Dr. Debbie Jones, Superintendent of Bentonville School District, says she became an educator because of her father: "My dad said, 'You would make a good English teacher,' so I trusted his advice and became a teacher." She feels that being in the field of education has been a privilege for her, stating, "I had the opportunity to be present when my children ran the halls of kindergarten and crossed the Bryant High School campus to give me a hug when I was assistant superintendent." She has served in a variety of roles across her career: cheerleading and student government sponsor, high school oral comm and English teacher, principal, assistant superintendent, and Assistant Commissioner of Learning Services at the Department of Education. After working for the department, she became Deputy Superintendent for Bentonville and shortly thereafter, Superintendent.

Dr. Jones says her favorite part of being superintendent is the challenge that comes from tackling a large variety of tasks. She states, "One moment I’m trying to solve the problem of security planning, the next it’s a transportation issue. I love the variety, challenge, and the opportunity to be creative to solve problems." The most challenging aspect is that the job is never done. "There is always something to improve, create, address or fix," she says. "That undone feeling sometimes keeps me awake at night as my mind simply tries to solve the problem."

The biggest change Dr. Jones says she has seen over her career is that education "has moved from a teaching process to a learning process. Educators have advanced to make teaching a science. It isn’t something you dabble in to be successful but something you study and dive in to become an expert." For those considering the career, she recommends working your way up to get experience at every level in education. "My job in Bryant really served me well because I was responsible for so many different areas. When I went to the Department of Education, I knew GT, Curriculum, Assessment, ALE and many other areas. Don’t wait for your boss to ask if you will do something, offer to take on tasks that will grow you as a professional." As for the best advice she has received, it is to "slow down, build relationships first, then take off."

? Q&A ! with Dr. Debbie Jones

How would your co-workers describe you?

I did a survey of my cabinet and they told me I was professional, driven, visionary, competitive (said the girl who had to run with you to get to the restaurant first), inspiring

Tell me about any awards or recognitions you have received?

I was honored to be named the NWA Woman of the Year and received the Ed Buck Award for Business Leaders this year. That one is important to me because it really recognizes our district for leading in business to keep the economy going during the last two tumultuous years. If we weren’t open, many people couldn’t go to work.

What might other administrators be surprised to know about you?

I’m just a simple girl from Charleston. We all have the same issues; some are just in a bigger district, but we all face problems.

What’s something that amazes you?

The beauty of my child raising my grandchild. There is nothing that compares to that beauty.

What do you enjoy doing during your free time?

Yoga, cooking, hiking outdoors, spending time with my husband and kids.

What is one of the things on your “Bucket List?”

Greece, a trip down the pacific coast, living in places like the Netherlands for a month or two at a time but always coming home.

What are the goals you are still working toward?

I’m so excited to create some model schools, a big third high school that is a Career School, getting all my kids to move back to Bentonville.

What do you see as the biggest benefit of AAEA membership?

The network of professionals to inform, influence and comfort you. In education today, we all need that.