Rotary celebrated Arcadia Unified School District’s 2011-12 Teacher of the Year, Talmage “Tal” Jones, at its October 7 meeting.    Mr. Jones, an Arcadia High School science teacher, was introduced by Arcadia Schools Superintendent and Rotarian, Dr. Joel Shawn, who indicated that not only is Tal AUSD’s honoree, he is also one of 16 Los Angeles County Teachers of the Year and is being considered for California Teacher of the Year.

Mr. Jones earned his BS in Zoology from Brigham Young University and his Administrative Credential from Cal Poly Pomona.  He has taught in Arcadia schools for 27 years, with the first six at Foothills Middle School and the last 21 at Arcadia High, teaching Biology, Biophysical Science, Anatomy and Physiology, Leadership Dynamics and SDAIE Science.

An exceptional teacher by all accounts, Mr. Jones’ educational journey to a teaching career took a little longer than some.  Married at an early age, he and his wife Debbie raised five children while he attended school and worked at different jobs.  Through time, he delivered newspapers, operated a back hoe as a grave digger, was an orderly in a surgical hospital ward, and owned and operated two Baskin Robbins ice cream stores.  There was also a two year period of voluntary missionary service in the British Isle where the majority of his time was spent teaching people and giving service.  Mr. Jones not only gives inspirational credit for becoming a teacher to his work experiences and missionary service but also to an influential Calculus teacher at San Gabriel High School who cared enough to instill confidence in him.  Tal says that “Despite the extreme difficulty of the subject matter, Mr. Police managed to instill confidence in each student.  It was there in that small classroom, 40 years ago, that a small spark was lit within me to become a teacher.”   Through it all, when Tal earned his degree in 1984, Debbie and all five children were there for his graduation.
Of his classroom Mr. Jones says, “Step inside my classroom and expect the unexpected.  This is not to say that careful thought and preparation have not been dedicated to each lesson, rather it makes reference to the exciting, unanticipated learning experiences that await my students on a daily basis.  Step inside and soak up the stimulating sights, scents, and sounds of science that fill the room and the minds of my students.”

In Mr. Jones’ classroom, located in Arcadia High’s new constructed Science Building, daily activities range from lab work, focusing on aspects of the human body, to well-developed presentations which are filled with colorful and impressive graphics.  Jones says he rarely sits behind his desk and says the new lab facilities enable him to more freely circulate and focus on individuals that need extra attention.  In the first month of class, Tal puts aside class time to speak individually with each student to assess strengths, weaknesses and their feelings regarding the course work.  Later, students are given weekly grade updates and he meets promptly with those who risk falling behind.
Students past and present will tell you that Mr. Jones’ sense of humor contributes greatly to creating a pleasurable learning experience.  Former students have commented that his wit and dry sense of humor is what kept things alive and interesting.  One of Mr. Jones’ most unforgettable and challenging moments occurred during a Human Physiology class.  He began to feel a surge of pain in his back and recognized the onset of a kidney stone attack.  The pain was excruciating but determined to get through the end of the period, he laid on his side on the demonstration table in front of the classroom and through grimaced pain, had a most interesting discussion with students about kidney stone formation and the urinary tract.  According to Mr. Jones, “Even the most challenging moment can become a teachable one.”   Each class ends with a unique 21-year tradition where a student is honored by being chosen to bang the large gong located at the front of his classroom.
In addition to classroom instruction, Tal has been Science Department chair, a WASC (accreditation) Focus Group Co-chair, a beginning teacher mentor, Diversity Summit Chairperson, a member of the Faculty Congress and a Core Teacher Team representative for the Science Department.  He established a science cross-age program with elementary schools and developed a speakers’ bureau where parents, local leaders and medical professionals are invited to speak to his classes.  He has served as an advisor to many volunteer campus clubs and has been instrumental in instituting the new freshman orientation/transition program, LINK Crew, at the school this year.  Tal also serves annually as the master of ceremonies for the AHS dance department’s “Orchesis” Charity Show which raises thousands of dollars that are contributed to worthy causes nationally.
Tal has been recognized twice as the Rotary Teacher of the Month, earned the District’s “Profile in Excellence” award, received PTA’s Honorary Service Award, and earned several grants from Rotary, Arcadia Educational Foundation and Retired Teachers for classroom enhancement projects.

Tal thanked Rotary for its generous recognition and amenities and told of his experiences with his Rotarian father who served in the San Gabriel Rotary Club many years ago.  Tal expressed his appreciation for being able to teach young people and acknowledged that he and his peers consider it a privilege to be educators in a community like Arcadia where they are supported and encouraged by groups such as Rotary.