HYPERLOCAL NEWS HUB BY THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS DEPARTMENT OF JOURNALISM
Principal Jones Builds Culture at Peabody Elementary
by: Tiffany Neely/ MicroMemphis Reporter
Kongsouly Jones has been the principal at Peabody Elementary for six years.
Peabody wasn’t Jones’ first time in the education ring. She went from being a teacher at Douglass Elementary School, to Instructional Facilitator, to Assistant Principal at Crump Elementary. That eventually led her to the Cooper-Young public school, Peabody Elementary.
That adds up to over 17 years of experience in the field of education.
“Time goes by fast when you love what you’re doing,” said Jones.
When asked how many children she had she automatically answered, “We have about 400.”
When the question was rephrased — to how many children she goes home to — she said one. That’s her 11-year-old daughter Kyrrith, who attends White Station Middle School.
Jones is originally from Laos, and moved to Memphis when she was 9 years old. She’s been here more than 30 years.
She studied for her undergraduate degree at The University of Memphis, and then a few weeks after her graduation, she immediately went to graduate school.
“I was just thinking what else can I do,” Jones stated. She has great pride in her alma mater, which is seen by the U of M flag handing by her desk.
“Sometimes I just walk on campus, and think I just love that place.” Jones said after reminiscing on her own college days.
Those college days helped bring her to Peabody.
Specifically, she remembers the 33rd BBQ in the parking lot of the school where she was being introduced to parents and the community as the new principal.
Kongsouly Jones has been the principal at Peabody Elementary for six years.
Peabody wasn’t Jones’ first time in the education ring. She went from being a teacher at Douglass Elementary School, to Instructional Facilitator, to Assistant Principal at Crump Elementary. That eventually led her to the Cooper-Young public school, Peabody Elementary.
That adds up to over 17 years of experience in the field of education.
“Time goes by fast when you love what you’re doing,” said Jones.
When asked how many children she had she automatically answered, “We have about 400.”
When the question was rephrased — to how many children she goes home to — she said one. That’s her 11-year-old daughter Kyrrith, who attends White Station Middle School.
Jones is originally from Laos, and moved to Memphis when she was 9 years old. She’s been here more than 30 years.
She studied for her undergraduate degree at The University of Memphis, and then a few weeks after her graduation, she immediately went to graduate school.
“I was just thinking what else can I do,” Jones stated. She has great pride in her alma mater, which is seen by the U of M flag handing by her desk.
“Sometimes I just walk on campus, and think I just love that place.” Jones said after reminiscing on her own college days.
Those college days helped bring her to Peabody.
Specifically, she remembers the 33rd BBQ in the parking lot of the school where she was being introduced to parents and the community as the new principal.
Jones said she remembers being a little anxious, “because the principal before me was such a people person and so outgoing.”
Then Jones focused on how she could make her own changes in the school. “I believe you have to build culture in a school,” she said. She built that culture by increasing communication between the school and the community, and encouraging growth in teacher planning with student data, which she says now the teachers have adapted to well on their own. “It’s nice to have a staff that’s this driven” Jones remarked. The community and parental involvement improved as well. Parents are more active in the decision making processes, and other school operations. The watchdog group, which greets students and parents in the morning and open doors to speed drop off times, has increased from just one dad to 15, which can now operate in a rotating schedule. |
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Through it all Jones says she really appreciates the teachers and parents.
“People have pride in what they do,” Jones said that’s what makes their school great.
“They understand their obligation,” she continued, referring to the teacher’s dedication to the students.
These students love their principal. When Jones walked out onto the playground, an an echo of “Hello Ms. Jones” sounded by little voices, and soon arms hugged around her before she even reached the gravel.
In particular, an enthusiastic 4-year-old named Dereck ran from the opposite side of the playground to hug his favorite principal. She says he does it every time he sees her.
Jones also has fans from the school’s staff.
“She comes in, in the morning and she’s so chipper, when some people are dragging,” said financial sub secretary Gloria Dowdy.
Presently Jones and her daughter live right outside of the Cooper-Young area near University of Memphis.
In her spare time she loves to read, cook, and practice a little retail therapy.
“That’s my favorite!” Jones said, laughing.
She also joins her parents in outings with other native Laotians, where she remarks that she’s the one every asks how to send their kids to college, or how to write good college essays.
Principal Jones also mentors other aspiring principals. That includes two so far that have gone on to principal positions of their own schools.
“Sharing your knowledge and then seeing them move to a new level going on to what they aspire to be, that’s rewarding for me,” Jones said, “When you see good people who actually enjoy doing the work and actually truly care about children and our community and our district you want to see them in that position.”
Looking to the future, Jones believes that she’s just going to see what happens.
"I love being connected to the children,” she said, “I love being the principal. That’s my favorite thing to do.”
“People have pride in what they do,” Jones said that’s what makes their school great.
“They understand their obligation,” she continued, referring to the teacher’s dedication to the students.
These students love their principal. When Jones walked out onto the playground, an an echo of “Hello Ms. Jones” sounded by little voices, and soon arms hugged around her before she even reached the gravel.
In particular, an enthusiastic 4-year-old named Dereck ran from the opposite side of the playground to hug his favorite principal. She says he does it every time he sees her.
Jones also has fans from the school’s staff.
“She comes in, in the morning and she’s so chipper, when some people are dragging,” said financial sub secretary Gloria Dowdy.
Presently Jones and her daughter live right outside of the Cooper-Young area near University of Memphis.
In her spare time she loves to read, cook, and practice a little retail therapy.
“That’s my favorite!” Jones said, laughing.
She also joins her parents in outings with other native Laotians, where she remarks that she’s the one every asks how to send their kids to college, or how to write good college essays.
Principal Jones also mentors other aspiring principals. That includes two so far that have gone on to principal positions of their own schools.
“Sharing your knowledge and then seeing them move to a new level going on to what they aspire to be, that’s rewarding for me,” Jones said, “When you see good people who actually enjoy doing the work and actually truly care about children and our community and our district you want to see them in that position.”
Looking to the future, Jones believes that she’s just going to see what happens.
"I love being connected to the children,” she said, “I love being the principal. That’s my favorite thing to do.”
Tiffany Neely/MicroMemphis Reporter
Tiffany Neely covers Community for MicroMemphis.
You can email her story ideas here.
Follow her on Twitter ( @tiffanyreports )