College of Education Dean Dr. James Wolfinger recently announced the appointment of Dr. Anthony Jones as the director of the Laboratory Schools and assistant dean of the College of Education at Illinois State University beginning on July 1. Jones currently serves as director of equity for Ames Community School District in Ames, Iowa.
”Dr. Jones emerged from a deep and talented pool of candidates as the next great leader of the lab schools at Illinois State,” said Wolfinger. “Working collaboratively with faculty and staff at Metcalf and U-High as well as the College of Education, Dr. Jones will lead the lab schools to an even higher level. We can’t wait for him to join us.”
In his current position, Jones oversees equity efforts for the Ames school district and serves on the superintendent’s leadership cabinet. He manages and analyzes data to identify ways to offer additional support for students who need it. He coordinates professional development opportunities for teachers and administrators and collaborates with administrators on specific EDI action goals.
Jones began his career in education as a teacher at an alternative high school in Tennessee where he found a passion for helping students get the individualized support needed to graduate. That passion fueled his desire to help on a larger scale. He has 12 years of experience as an administrator in the Ames school district serving as an assistant principal, interim principal, director of student services, and for the past three years as the director of equity. In his current role, he continues to lead several student services initiatives including coordinating with a local community organization that partners with the Ames school district and others across the state of Iowa to provide youth addiction recovery services and school support.
“I’m very excited to come to the Laboratory Schools at Illinois State and to be a part of an innovative and collaborative atmosphere,” said Jones. “I’m looking forward to supporting the teachers and administrators, helping to prepare great teacher candidates, and to continuing to do what I love in supporting students and families. I can’t wait to get started.”
Jones earned a bachelor’s in exercise and sports sciences at Iowa State University, a master’s in education at Milligan College, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership at Iowa State University.
