One of the great traditions in the Abilene ISD is the “I Love America” program that the Dyess Elementary School fifth-grade class performs every year. For the last five years, Alan Jones has been tasked with teaching music at Dyess and keeping alive the tradition.
Because of his love of teaching, music and dedication to his craft, Jones has been named the Abilene Elementary Teacher of the Year by the Martin D. Denson VFW Post 6873. Jones, now in his sixth year at Dyess, will be honored at an awards banquet in April.
Jones was nominated by Dyess principal Heath Wright, who wrote in his nomination letter, “Alan Jones’ heart for America is only matched by his heart for the kids he serves. He welcomes them daily with a smile and makes all the students feel like they are part of the family. Mr. Jones strives daily to instill pride and confidence in the students in his classroom. He provides the students with engaging lessons to foster their love for music, teamwork, and civic duty.”
Those engaging lessons have driven Jones for 21 years as a music teacher in the Abilene ISD, first at Locust Elementary School, followed by Bassetti and Alcorta elementary schools, then Abilene High School, Reagan Elementary School, and now Dyess Elementary School.
“I want the students I teach to know basic notes and rhythms, of course,” he said. “But more than that, I want them to develop a love for music. I want them to know the joy that it can bring, and even if they don’t choose to play an instrument or sing in a choir, I want them to at least be lifelong enjoyers and consumers of music.”
Jones has succeeded in making learning to love music fun for his students, Wright said.
“When you go into Mr. Jones’s classroom you find students loving learning,” Wright said. “You will see them all engaged in the activities and connecting. You hear singing, laughter, and instruments daily. Mr. Jones takes great pride in his craft and is continually identifying and learning new ways to improve in the classroom.”
Aside from the “I Love America” presentation in the spring, Dyess fifth graders also perform on Constitution Day, which is early in the school year. Students learn American-themed songs to perform in honor of the day for all Dyess students as well as parents.
And he’s always preparing for the show that has come to define Dyess Elementary School.
Every year for the last 42 years – and even in a virtual performance in 2020 – Dyess students have performed “I Love America” in the spring. Last year, Jones collaborated with multiple teachers to costume more than 100 students as different U.S. historical figures for the show.
As one would imagine, the show takes a lot of work by Jones and his students. But it’s also his favorite performance of the year.
“I’ve always been a big history buff, so I enjoy researching and learning about these significant Americans,” Jones said. “I am so honored to be tasked with carrying on such a phenomenal tradition. I’ve seen some pretty amazing things come out of this program.
“There’s just something about putting on that costume that brings out pride and confidence in some of these kids that they didn’t know they had,” he said. “And just about every Dyess alum who has had a part can tell you whom he or she played. It does such a fabulous job of instilling a love for our country in these fifth graders. I hope it goes for at least 43 more years.”
