Mary Jones South Tama Superintendent of Schools

“My number one goal is the continuous improvement our of students’ “education,” Mary Jones, South Tama’s new superintendent of schools said last week. She stresses the importance “If kids are going to compete in employment or college we must give them the tools to do so.”

Jones began duties here at the beginning of July replacing Superintendent Kerri Nelson who earlier this year was named the Shenandoah Schools Superintendent.

While Jones, 56, has spent her entire career in education in the state of Colorado, it’s a homecoming to Iowa for her- she’s a native of Dubuque and graduate of Dubuque Wahlert High School and received her B.S. in Education from Briar Cliff University in Sioux City. In addition, her mother and two siblings now live in North Liberty.

Jones said she aimed for heading a smaller school district and said, “I’m loving this community.” She has purchased a home in Tama and will be moving into it shortly.

The new Superintendent received her Masters in Education from Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, and is work on her doctorate from the University of Northern Colorado at Greeley.

Her career began teaching Biology and Physical Education for 16 years. She then served seven years as the assistant principal of middle and high schools at Broomfiied, Colo., three years as principal at Brighton, Colo. and eight years as a Central Office Administrator in different school districts in Colorado.. She said all of these were large and believes she will enjoy a district size of South Tama’s which had about 1,550 students in 2014-15.

“I’m very impressed with the (South Tama) School board. They have goals and operating procedures in place,” Jones said. “Making sure we are effective and efficient is a top priority,” she said.

For goals for South Tama Jones said she has set these short term goals: developing positive connections with in the community and improving student achievement

Jones also lists technology as vitally important in education today and notes South Tama students all have an I-Pad to aid their studies.

She said she plans to meet with students before school starts this fall “to listen” to their views. She said she already has been able to meet with some staff and some community members to hear their ideas and plans to meet with more.

Meeting community members and staff at a reception held on July 13 already introduced her to many, she said.

She said she also makes it a priority to attending school events which she enjoys and “becoming part of the community.”

She was looking forward last week to women’s golf at the Tama-Toledo Country Club, having been an athlete during her high school and college years. She said Colorado attracted her because of her love of outdoor sports.

Jones’ husband passed away in November, 2104, after a long illness. She has two daughters, two step children, and two grandchildren.