Some people want to be a famous actor or play in the NFL. At one point, Mr. Jones wanted to be both–it was not in his plan to become an administrator; it was something that just happened.
Kimani (KEY-MAH-NEE) Jones began the school year as the assistant principal for Gateway/Crossroads. He explained, “I stopped taking acting classes for football and I stopped football because my body gave up.” But being an administrator suits him.
He was not always an administrator. He taught as a social studies teacher, history teacher, and a substitute teacher. “I am incredibly grateful for all the opportunities that made me where I am today,” Mr. Jones said.
Before coming to Gateway/Crossroads, Mr. Jones was an assistant principal at Westminster High School. “Being an assistant principal [at Gateway] is clearly different because of the school size and number of children, but there is always the main goal, and it is to get students to graduate” he said.
Mr. Jones enjoys being an assistant principal because “as an assistant principal you have a lot more time with your students such as when you are the actual principal, you’re running a whole school so it’s difficult to get around to everyone.”
“If I could transfer to any school in the county, I would not. I like the students and administration here this is just the place I should be,” Mr. Jones stated. His favorite part about Gateway Crossroads is the students and environment.
He went to Frostburg State University, majored in elementary education, then changed to mass communication in Frostburg, Maryland. However, Mr. Jones did not graduate from Frostburg; he graduated from the University of Maryland.
This is Mr. Jones second time at Gateway but is returning as an assistant principal. He is kind, not so hard, and he tries to meet students halfway in certain situations, which makes him a good fit for our students.
“If you fall down nine times get back up ten,” Mr. Jones said. His goal is to “get students on the right path and for them to get their high school diploma,” which makes his advice quite relevant. And although he isn’t an NFL star, he is right where he needs to be.
