Jones Receives Distinguished Teaching Award
Headmaster Pete Sanders presented the 2026 Distinguished Teaching Award to Anne and Glenn A. Crosby Chair of Christian Ethics and History Department Chair Jonathan Jones.
Dr. Jones, who arrived at MUS in 2012, has taught European and U.S. history as well as AP Art History, and he has served as advisor to the Honor Council.
“A strong proponent of learning from history’s painful lessons, he has helped lead student civil rights tours to Montgomery and Selma, Alabama,” Sanders said. “Last fall, fueled by his alarm at the rising anti-Semitism in society, he became a Teacher Fellow for the Tennessee Holocaust Education Commission, and he helped arrange the Holocaust Remembrance Event in Hyde Chapel on February 3.”
A graduate of Baylor School, Jones earned a Bachelor of Arts in History at Millsaps College and a Ph.D. in American History at the University of Memphis. He also attained a graduate certificate in Geriatric Care Management at the University of Florida. Before coming to MUS, he was on the adjunct teaching faculty at the University of Memphis. He previously served as director of Business Development at Elect Home Care and director of the MIFA Meals on Wheels program. In 2018 he was named the Crosby Chair of Christian Ethics. This endowed chair recognizes an outstanding MUS educator who is an exemplar of Christian ethics in the classroom and in daily life.
“Dr. Jones fulfills this description, especially in his role advising the Honor Council,” Sanders said. “Thank you for all you do for Memphis University School. Please come up and accept the 2026 Distinguished Teaching Award in recognition of your outstanding service.”
In accepting the award, Jones said, “Fourteen and a half years ago, I got laid off, and I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. With the love and support of my family, we agreed that teaching is what I needed to return to. Two men in the audience today gave me the opportunity of a lifetime. Ellis Haguewood and Barry Ray, thank you very much for rolling the dice on me. Thank you all for being great students, and thank you very much, Mr. Sanders. I appreciate this award.”
Jones is married to Mrs. JoAnn Jones, and they have two sons who are Owls, Paul Jones ’21 and Andrew Jones ’23.
The Distinguished Teaching Award is made possible through an endowment fund established in 1990 through a bequest by Mr. John Murry Springfield. Mr. Springfield joined the Memphis University School faculty in 1958 and served as an instructor in English and mathematics. From 1971 until his death in August 1989, he led Hull Lower School as principal. This award is given annually to an MUS faculty member who demonstrates excellence.
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“A strong proponent of learning from history’s painful lessons, he has helped lead student civil rights tours to Montgomery and Selma, Alabama,” Sanders said. “Last fall, fueled by his alarm at the rising anti-Semitism in society, he became a Teacher Fellow for the Tennessee Holocaust Education Commission, and he helped arrange the Holocaust Remembrance Event in Hyde Chapel on February 3.”
A graduate of Baylor School, Jones earned a Bachelor of Arts in History at Millsaps College and a Ph.D. in American History at the University of Memphis. He also attained a graduate certificate in Geriatric Care Management at the University of Florida. Before coming to MUS, he was on the adjunct teaching faculty at the University of Memphis. He previously served as director of Business Development at Elect Home Care and director of the MIFA Meals on Wheels program. In 2018 he was named the Crosby Chair of Christian Ethics. This endowed chair recognizes an outstanding MUS educator who is an exemplar of Christian ethics in the classroom and in daily life.
“Dr. Jones fulfills this description, especially in his role advising the Honor Council,” Sanders said. “Thank you for all you do for Memphis University School. Please come up and accept the 2026 Distinguished Teaching Award in recognition of your outstanding service.”
In accepting the award, Jones said, “Fourteen and a half years ago, I got laid off, and I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. With the love and support of my family, we agreed that teaching is what I needed to return to. Two men in the audience today gave me the opportunity of a lifetime. Ellis Haguewood and Barry Ray, thank you very much for rolling the dice on me. Thank you all for being great students, and thank you very much, Mr. Sanders. I appreciate this award.”
Jones is married to Mrs. JoAnn Jones, and they have two sons who are Owls, Paul Jones ’21 and Andrew Jones ’23.
The Distinguished Teaching Award is made possible through an endowment fund established in 1990 through a bequest by Mr. John Murry Springfield. Mr. Springfield joined the Memphis University School faculty in 1958 and served as an instructor in English and mathematics. From 1971 until his death in August 1989, he led Hull Lower School as principal. This award is given annually to an MUS faculty member who demonstrates excellence.
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