Mr. Tyler Jones is the choral director at Thompson High School, while also helping teach Theatre III & Theatre IV as well as dual enrollment Music Appreciation and AP Music Theory. We sat down with him for a few moments to talk about his background and what he's looking forward to the most this school year.
Where did you start your career?
I started in Coosa County. My first year, I taught K-12 over there, elementary music, beginning band, choir. I've been in Alabaster for the past seven years. I started in an itinerary position at Creekview and Meadowview in the morning and then TMS in the afternoons. I did pre-school through second grade music in the morning, and in the afternoon I did sixth grade choir, sixth grade theatre and music appreciation.
Then I was full time at TMS for several years, doing sixth through eighth choir and theatre. Now I'm here at THS doing a little bit of choir and theatre!
What brought you from Thompson Middle School to Thompson High School?
It was just a new opportunity to dive into choir fully which I love. It was a new opportunity to reconnect with students. I've had a little bit of an interesting journey! The current seniors were my first group of sixth graders at Thompson Middle School. Even more special were the group of juniors that I had because they were third graders at Creekview. So I taught them there, I taught them through middle school, and just the chance to teach students that I really care about that I see a lot of potential in is just a great place to be.
What are you looking forward to most this school year?
I'm looking forward to reconnecting with my former students, I'm looking forward to meeting new faces, to just see what opportunities come with the choral program here, and I am very excited to be assisting with theatre to musically direct the musical. There are just so many exciting opportunities to be a part of the Warrior family.
Is there something you want students and parents to know about you?
I'm just very dedicated to providing the best educational opportunities for the students. I really care about their success as musicians, as students and as people. I want to see them succeed in every facet possible.
What do you like to do outside of teaching?
I love to run! I'm currently trying to run 1,000 miles this year and so far I have run 585.5 miles so I'm a little behind, but hopefully I can catch up! I also love to read. I am trying to read 50 books this year. I'm ahead there! I'm on book 44 right now. I also love to spend time with my family.
Do you have a quote that you live by?
"Change is the law of life, and those who only look to the past or the present are certain to miss the future."
- President John F. Kennedy