A vision of success: Jaime Rodriguez named as new principal of A.C. Jones High School
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Pettus High School graduate and longtime Moreno Junior High School teacher and coach Jaime Rodriguez has been picked as the new principal of A.C. Jones High School.
The Bee-Picayune caught up with the educators’ son for a quick question and answer session after the school board announcement Tuesday.
Q: Have you set any goals you’d like to accomplish as principal at A.C. Jones? If so, what are they?
A: The goals that I hope to accomplish as the A.C. Jones High School principal focus on providing a quality education for every student who attends A.C. Jones. Obviously campus accountability is a priority, and ultimately to move the high school toward becoming an exemplary campus and a Promising Practices Campus. I hope to create an environment that projects a positive image of our campus within the community and I also hope to instill a sense of honor, dignity, respect and pride among our campus staff and students.
Q: What is your educational philosophy?
A: Education most certainly is a priority in order to become an active, responsible citizen of the community. I believe that in order to meet the demands of today’s society we must provide educational opportunities that prepare our students for the demands of today’s workforce as well as the rigorous demands of the universities that our students will be attending. Today’s world is a technological world and the demands are phenomenal.
Q: What message do you share with students, to motivate them or inspire them?
A: The message that I bring to our students is that of “honor, dignity, respect and pride for oneself, our school, our community and our families.” If every student and staff member models these attributes, there is no doubt in my mind that A.C. Jones High School will become the “pride” of Beeville.
Q: Likewise, what do you tell faculty and staff to inspire and motivate them?
A: At this point it is somewhat of a challenge in light of the hurdles that we are currently faced with; but, the staff at A.C. Jones knows that I am there to support every staff member. I believe in treating every staff member as part of my extended family. I also believe that acknowledging the staff’s accomplishments, their hard work and their dedication to the students and the campus is beyond reproach.
Q: Who motivated you? What did he, she or they tell you that inspired you to attend college, become a teacher or principal?
A: I come from a family of educators, my parents are both educators and their influence upon me is what helped me to pursue this career. My mother was a retired teacher after 30 plus years, my father is still in the educational field and has dedicated over 35 years of his life to this career. My sister was also influenced by my parents in that she is a teacher in a surrounding school district. Therefore, as you can see my parents were and still are my greatest motivators, supporters and role models.
Q: Tell us three things parents can easily do to help ensure their child is successful in school.
A: Parents need to be involved in their child’s education, attendance in school is imperative, children must attend school daily and I also believe that open lines of communication are vital between parents and children.
Q: Every year at least 15 or 20 high school seniors are not allowed to walk the stage and receive their diploma because they flunked at least one part of the TAKS exam. The school district has taken steps to get these kids into tutoring sessions. The effort has paid off somewhat. What do you think about the concept and do you plan on changing it or expanding it? For that matter, what do you plan to do to help more seniors graduate each year?
A: I agree that we must continue to find interventions such as tutorials, after school sessions, and possibly Saturday TAKS sessions for students to move forward toward graduation. We have created a new program that also is geared toward providing more options for the “struggling “student.” The program is called “New Beginnings” and is already being attended by several students. The staff and I are also researching other educational options that we may begin to implement at A.C. Jones. Other options that we are considering include the use of more “hands-on” teaching methodologies in the classroom environment.
Q: What’s one of your proudest accomplishments as an educator?
A: One of the professional accomplishments that I consider to be of importance is when working with a surrounding school district my campus was named as a “Recognized” campus. It came about as the result of leadership and dedication by the entire staff. This was an exciting event.
Q: On a lighter note, tell us a little bit about what makes you, you. For instance, who’s your favorite author?
A: My favorite author is John Grisham; I enjoy a wide variety of reading material ranging from educational research to reading for entertainment.
Q: Do you have a wife and kids? If so, who are they? What does she do? What grades are your children in?
A: I am married to Grace Rodriguez, and together we have two children. Their names are Kayley, who is 11 years old and a sixth-grader who attends Pettus Middle School; and my son Jacob, who is a kindergartner at Pettus Elementary. Grace is the office manager at Beeville Family Practice.
Q: Favorite television series:
A: “Criminal Intent.”
The Bee-Picayune caught up with the educators’ son for a quick question and answer session after the school board announcement Tuesday.
Q: Have you set any goals you’d like to accomplish as principal at A.C. Jones? If so, what are they?
A: The goals that I hope to accomplish as the A.C. Jones High School principal focus on providing a quality education for every student who attends A.C. Jones. Obviously campus accountability is a priority, and ultimately to move the high school toward becoming an exemplary campus and a Promising Practices Campus. I hope to create an environment that projects a positive image of our campus within the community and I also hope to instill a sense of honor, dignity, respect and pride among our campus staff and students.
Q: What is your educational philosophy?
A: Education most certainly is a priority in order to become an active, responsible citizen of the community. I believe that in order to meet the demands of today’s society we must provide educational opportunities that prepare our students for the demands of today’s workforce as well as the rigorous demands of the universities that our students will be attending. Today’s world is a technological world and the demands are phenomenal.
Q: What message do you share with students, to motivate them or inspire them?
A: The message that I bring to our students is that of “honor, dignity, respect and pride for oneself, our school, our community and our families.” If every student and staff member models these attributes, there is no doubt in my mind that A.C. Jones High School will become the “pride” of Beeville.
Q: Likewise, what do you tell faculty and staff to inspire and motivate them?
A: At this point it is somewhat of a challenge in light of the hurdles that we are currently faced with; but, the staff at A.C. Jones knows that I am there to support every staff member. I believe in treating every staff member as part of my extended family. I also believe that acknowledging the staff’s accomplishments, their hard work and their dedication to the students and the campus is beyond reproach.
Q: Who motivated you? What did he, she or they tell you that inspired you to attend college, become a teacher or principal?
A: I come from a family of educators, my parents are both educators and their influence upon me is what helped me to pursue this career. My mother was a retired teacher after 30 plus years, my father is still in the educational field and has dedicated over 35 years of his life to this career. My sister was also influenced by my parents in that she is a teacher in a surrounding school district. Therefore, as you can see my parents were and still are my greatest motivators, supporters and role models.
Q: Tell us three things parents can easily do to help ensure their child is successful in school.
A: Parents need to be involved in their child’s education, attendance in school is imperative, children must attend school daily and I also believe that open lines of communication are vital between parents and children.
Q: Every year at least 15 or 20 high school seniors are not allowed to walk the stage and receive their diploma because they flunked at least one part of the TAKS exam. The school district has taken steps to get these kids into tutoring sessions. The effort has paid off somewhat. What do you think about the concept and do you plan on changing it or expanding it? For that matter, what do you plan to do to help more seniors graduate each year?
A: I agree that we must continue to find interventions such as tutorials, after school sessions, and possibly Saturday TAKS sessions for students to move forward toward graduation. We have created a new program that also is geared toward providing more options for the “struggling “student.” The program is called “New Beginnings” and is already being attended by several students. The staff and I are also researching other educational options that we may begin to implement at A.C. Jones. Other options that we are considering include the use of more “hands-on” teaching methodologies in the classroom environment.
Q: What’s one of your proudest accomplishments as an educator?
A: One of the professional accomplishments that I consider to be of importance is when working with a surrounding school district my campus was named as a “Recognized” campus. It came about as the result of leadership and dedication by the entire staff. This was an exciting event.
Q: On a lighter note, tell us a little bit about what makes you, you. For instance, who’s your favorite author?
A: My favorite author is John Grisham; I enjoy a wide variety of reading material ranging from educational research to reading for entertainment.
Q: Do you have a wife and kids? If so, who are they? What does she do? What grades are your children in?
A: I am married to Grace Rodriguez, and together we have two children. Their names are Kayley, who is 11 years old and a sixth-grader who attends Pettus Middle School; and my son Jacob, who is a kindergartner at Pettus Elementary. Grace is the office manager at Beeville Family Practice.
Q: Favorite television series:
A: “Criminal Intent.”
Jason
A: “Criminal Intent.”
LoL