[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 174 (Monday, December 5, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1586-E1587]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          PAYING TRIBUTE TO NATHANIEL JONES ON HIS RETIREMENT

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. SUSAN W. BROOKS

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 5, 2016

  Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an 
outstanding educator, Superintendent Nathaniel Jones of the 
Metropolitan School District of Pike Township. Superintendent Jones is 
retiring after 43 years of exceptional service to students and the 
community. The people of the Fifth Congressional District of Indiana 
are forever grateful for Superintendent Jones' contributions and 
commitment to the students of the Pike Township School District and to 
our Hoosier community.
  Superintendent Jones is an Indianapolis native. He received his 
formal education from the Indianapolis Public School (IPS) system. 
After graduating high school Superintendent Jones went to Indiana 
University where he pursued his interest in education. Upon completion 
of his B.S. in Elementary Education, he returned to IPS where he taught 
elementary school as well as adult education classes for five years. He 
returned to IUPUI to earn his M.S. in Education as well as an 
Administrative Certificate. In 1978, Superintendent Jones was named 
Assistant Principal to John Strange Elementary School of the 
Metropolitan School District of Washington Township, and shortly 
thereafter in 1980 he was named Principal of Delaware Trail Elementary, 
at age 27, making him one of the youngest principals in the state of 
Indiana. He served the Washington Township School system in a variety 
of positions over 25 years; he served Washington Township as Principal, 
Director of Elementary Education, and as Assistant Superintendent of 
Curriculum and Instruction. His leadership proved truly 
transformational as every school he led as Principal attained state and 
national recognition for academic achievement. In 1982, he earned his 
Education Specialist Degree in School Administration from Indiana 
University, Bloomington and in 1994 his Superintendent Certification. 
In 2003, he became the first African American to accept the role of 
Superintendent for the Metropolitan School District of Pike Township 
and the first African American IPS graduate to be a Superintendent in 
the state of Indiana.
  Superintendent Jones has been instrumental in creating positive 
change in each of the school systems he has served. Pike High School in 
particular has made monumental strides under Superintendent Jones' 
leadership. Pike High School has one of the most successful pre-
collegiate programs in Indiana with over 85 percent of students 
attending post-secondary institutions upon graduating from high school 
and has a graduation rate of over 91 percent. In 2005, the Standard & 
Poor's ratings recognized Pike High School for significantly narrowing 
the Black-white and Hispanic-white achievement gaps. During 
Superintendent Jones' tenure the number of scholarships and grants 
received by Pike students has grown tremendously. Pike High School 
boasts the highest number of Gates Scholars in Indiana. Superintendent 
Jones also implemented the STEM Center and spearheaded major 
construction and renovation of many facilities, and earned over $75 
million in Federal Competitive Grants from 2005 through 2015. 
Superintendent Jones' tireless efforts to seek educational grants and 
funding opportunities helped in part to create the Youth CareerConnect 
program. This program offers work-based learning opportunities that 
teaches students marketable and useful STEM skills empowering students 
in future learning as well as career opportunities. Through the 
collaboration of Superintendent Jones' visionary leadership, the help 
of a supportive board, dedicated administrators, extraordinary 
teachers, and engaged parents, Pike Township schools have become a more 
positive learning environment where student achievement continues to 
soar.
  Throughout his career Superintendent Jones has received numerous 
awards that recognize the accomplishments and contributions he has made 
to education in our community. From Indiana University he received two 
``Distinguished Alumni Awards''. In 1996, he earned the Milken Award, 
which aims to grant funds to accomplished mid-career educators. He 
received the Achiever Award from the Center for Leadership, is a 
recipient of a Sagamore of the Wabash Award, has received a 
Congressional Salute, and he received two District of Distinction 
awards. He was selected as one of the 100 top administrators in North 
America by the ``Executive Educator'' and has received over 60 local, 
state, and national awards for his leadership and innovative approach 
to educating students, teachers, and the community. His award winning 
work is well regarded not only from these institutions but from his 
peers and fellow educators. He has been invited to conduct and 
participate in numerous conferences throughout the United States. In 
addition, he is a lifetime member of the NAACP and in 2011 he was 
featured in the ``Education Executive Publication'' as a Trendsetter, 
and in a Who's Who in ``Black Indianapolis''.
  Superintendent Jones continues to serve the community through his 
roles on numerous boards. He currently sits on the Board of Directors 
for American Heart Association, he was the Chair for National Council 
on Educating Black Children Conference in 2015, and he was the Board 
Chairman for Conner Prairie in 2011. In 2008, he served on the 
Indianapolis Marion-County Public Library Board of Directors and the 
Teachers' Treasures Board of Directors. He was the coordinator for the 
Lilly Initiative supported by the Lilly Endowment in 2000 through 2003. 
He was on the State Advisory Committee on Textbook Adoption in 2001 
through 2003.
  I am proud to thank Superintendent Jones for his service in helping 
the students of Pike Township graduate from high school with the 
essential skills necessary to be confident, creative, productive, and 
prosperous in college, careers, and life. He has always put the needs 
of students first throughout his educational career and truly enriched 
the lives of so many. He takes great pride in addressing the individual 
needs of the children he serves. Superintendent Jones never overlooked 
the fact that his students come to him from a variety of backgrounds, 
possessing individual gifts, talents, challenges and dreams. On behalf 
of all Hoosiers and the nation, I'd like to congratulate Superintendent 
Nathaniel Jones on his success and wish him, his wife Cynthia, two 
children, and their families all the best as Superintendent Jones 
enjoys a well-deserved retirement

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