Cynthia believes that a teacher is like the reflectors in a lighthouse. The light or energy of a child is redirected, refined, and magnified. A teacher’s role is to focus and concentrate each child’s light to reflect it back for self-clarification. In her classroom, the inside world is taken out. Her students collected soap, lotion and shampoo samples fo rChristmas stockings for the elderly. Her class voted to not exchange Christmas gifts; instead they adopted two Salvation Army Angels, and collected eyeglass frames for the needy in Mexico.
Cynthia Jones
Murfreesboro, TN | Years Taught: 1979 – Present
Additional Recognition
- 2008 • Member of Chinese People to People delegation to advise on using technology in the elementary classroom.
- 2002 • Inclusion, The New Parent Handbook, National Education Association
- 2002 • The Apple for the Teacher Award, Tennessee Department of Education
- 1999, 02 • State finalist, Tennessee Teacher of the Year
- 1998, 01, 02 • Who’s Who in Education
- 1999 • Fulbright Scholar to Japan
- 1995-2001 • White House Conference on Education, Albert Gore Family Reunion
- 1997 • Original research presented in Durham, England, and Washington, D.C.
- 1997 • Rutherford County Outstanding Teacher
- 1996 • Rotary Club Outstanding Educator
- 1995-Present • Principal Designee, Cason Lane Academy
- 1994 • Recipient, Contributions to the Field, Dyslexia Center
- 1993 • J. Champlain Award Outstanding Developmental Reading Teacher, college-level
- 1992 • Rutherford Jaycee’s Distinguished Young teacher
- 1991 • Distinguished Classroom Teacher, TEA
- 1985 • Thinking Skills Curriculum, Murfreesboro City Schools, creator and trainer
- 1983, 84 • Rise and Shine Pre-Kindergarten Screening Program, co-creator and teacher
- 1979 • Clayton County’s Outstanding First Year teacher