Edie Jones excited to join board

Edie Jones was selected among three finalists for the open position on the Sisters School Board at the monthly meeting held Wednesday, January 8. Her appointment fills the vacancy of Amanda Clarke who left the Board in December.

Jones will complete the remainder of Clarke’s term, which is set to expire in June 2021.

Jones, who ran for the Board in 2013, is a strong advocate of early childhood education and authored a book on the subject called “Raising Kids with Love, Honor and Respect.” She spent two decades working with the Together for Children organization.

Jones and her husband, Ted, moved to the area in 1991 and owned and managed Camp Tamarack west of Sisters on Dark Lake for 11 years. In addition, Edie has been a longtime contributor to The Nugget. Ted Jones passed away in February 2019 at the age of 86. The couple shared 56 years of marriage.

“Ted was always my biggest cheerleader,” she said. “He encouraged me to run for the School Board back in 2013.”

Jones lost that election to Melvin Herburger, but continued to be involved in a variety of education-related activities and now is thrilled to have a chance to serve.

“I’m excited,” she said. “When Ted passed away, I spent some time just being at home and spent some time getting things, including myself, settled to this new part of my life. Realizing that, as much as I miss him, life really does go on and it’s important for me to go on in a good way.”

Jones considered many ways in which she could still contribute. “I thought I could volunteer at Habitat for Humanity or ASPIRE or Circle of Friends — those sorts of places,” she said. “I was trying to figure out where I could find a place and feel like I am making a commitment and a difference that is significant. The more I thought about it I knew it had to do with kids.”

When she discovered the opening on the School Board, she knew it was what she wanted to do.

“I have the time and I still have the passion, so I am very glad the Board chose me for the position,” she said.

Jones has kept up with the news on public education in Oregon and feels lucky to be joining the Board at a time of growth and improved funding, including the Student Success Act. She is becoming more familiar with the School District’s mission and vision work and likes the direction things are going.

Obviously as someone who spent many years running a camp for youth that included Outdoor School, experiential learning is something Jones believes in deeply. In addition, she is appreciative of the community partnerships that the schools have with organizations like the Sisters Folk Festival, the Sisters Science Club, the aviation program and Together for Children.

“I am pleased how Together for Children is partnering with Parks and Rec since there is an emphasis there for early childhood and how we can help parents be the best they can be,” she said.

Jones understands that students need practical, skill-based learning in addition to academics. “Not all of our students need to go to a four-year college,” she said. “In addition to what we are already doing here, we need to make sure students have a variety of choices so kids’ eyes are open to doors that are possible.”

Ever-active, Jones has recently completed another book which is designed for parents to read with their kids.

“It’s actually a book of poems, and the main character is my dog Walker,” she said.

Jones is still working on the title and the books should be available later this year. “My idea is that a book like this is a way for parents and kids to sit together and share a story.”

In addition to many years of focus on early childhood education and working at Camp Tamarack, Jones also holds a master’s degree in adult education, which she earned from Oregon State University in 1991.

“I have spent more time recently with adult education, but am thrilled to be able to put my energy into young people again,” she said.