Chris Jones, a history teacher at McCracken County High School, was recently honored with a 2024 KCTCS Pathfinder Award for his dedication to student success. Representing one of 16 Kentucky high school teachers or counselors recognized by the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS), Jones was surprised with the award during a special ceremony in his classroom on April 19, by representatives from West Kentucky Community and Technical College.
"This award means everything. It means that I'm making a difference to students' futures, their careers," said Jones. "Education is about academics, yes, but also it's about character development, and you try to create good people that are educated, and try to inspire them to have a better life and a better future."
Jones, a graduate of Reidland High School, class of 1993, continued his education at Paducah Community College (now WKCTC), where he excelled academically and athletically. Jones continued his education at Murray State University, graduating in 1999, and began his teaching career at Lone Oak Middle School that fall. He moved to Reidland Middle School in 2009, before eventually finding his teaching home at McCracken County High School in 2014.
Throughout his career, Jones has been dedicated to creating an environment where students feel valued, empowered, and inspired to reach their full potential. By teaching and modeling good character-building traits, he strives to instill in his students a sense of responsibility, integrity, and empathy, shaping them into not only better learners but better individuals.
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