Sean Jones first started teaching at Saint Ambrose in 2006, and is thrilled to be teaching fourth grade. Mr. Jones earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre Arts and Elementary Education from Hamline University, and has completed coursework toward his Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of St. Thomas.
Mr. Jones’ interest in teaching grew out of his experience working at the Minnesota Children’s Museum for several years, as well as his experience teaching youth theatre classes for various organizations, including the Minnesota Institute for Talented Youth, where he taught for 12 years. He loves incorporating his theatre experience into the classroom setting as a means for ‘bringing the curriculum to life’, as well as a tool for building a strong sense of community in the classroom where children feel safe to take risks and explore.
Mr. Jones loves teaching the middle grades because he believes it is a transitional point academically for students. He believes that fourth grade, especially, is such an amazing year because students truly begin applying the skills they’ve learned in the primary grades to dive deeply into content that explores the world around them. He loves the natural curiosity and brilliant questions that fourth graders always seem to have! Mr. Jones works hard to facilitate an environment where students can explore these questions and develop learning skills through differentiated instruction, individual and group work, and engaging, hands-on classroom activities.
Mr. Jones loves teaching at Saint Ambrose because of the strong collaboration of the entire Saint Ambrose community (church, parents and teachers) that plays a part in educating the students. He also believes that the Catholic Schools do a wonderful job of focusing on the whole child by working not only on academics, but also on faith, social and character development.
In his free time, Mr. Jones enjoys spending as much time as he can with his wife and three young boys. Reading, downhill skiing, fishing, and watching hockey are some of his favorite activities.
“I love teaching because every day is a chance to inspire children to learn something about the world or about themselves that they did not know before. In turn, the energy and never-ending curiosity of my students inspires me to do the same. It is a fun relationship that makes it fun to come to school each day!” – Sean Jones