Each month we'll be featuring school board members in an effort to learn more about the wonderful individuals serving on our boards!

Portia Jones joined the Tuscaloosa County school board in 2018 with the goal of learning school boards and advocacy from the inside out. She currently serves as vice president of the board and enjoys having a role in implementing changes to improve the success of Tuscaloosa schools and students. 

Read below to learn more about Portia!

Q: What is your current occupation?

A: Senior Software Analyst

Q: What inspired you to join the school board?

A: Having a lot of questions and concerns, I felt it was best to be on the inside to have a better understanding of how things work so that I can help effectively implement improvements and change.

Q: What is your favorite part about being a school board member?

A: Seeing the effects of subtle changes as it benefits the system. Everything does not have to be large in order for it to make a daily difference.

Q: What’s one thing you’ve learned since becoming a board member?

A: You have to have patience, determination, and understanding because you are dealing with individuals from all walks of life.

Q: Is there anything you are particularly proud of accomplishing as a board member (i.e., new initiatives or special projects…)?

A: I consider all accomplishments a group effort as it takes a majority vote and lots of discussion to go through. Since I have served, we have built a new intermediate school to help with overcrowding in one zone. We have been able to put an iPad in the hands of all of our students. We have outfitted a few busses with wifi for those students in rural areas and expanded career tech opportunities within our system. That is just to name a few things.

Q: What is one piece of advice you would share with an incoming board member?

A: Never come in with a personal agenda because we are here to serve an entire system, not just a portion of the system.

Q: What are some of your hobbies?

A: Jewelry making, community service, and being a team mom.

Q: Is there a fun or interesting fact you would like to share about yourself?

A: An interesting fact is although I do a lot of outgoing activities, I am actually very shy and to myself. A fun fact is that I like to wear a tiara when I am having a bad day. It makes me smile.

Q: Do you have a favorite inspirational quote you can share with us?

A: "Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it."

  ~Marian Wright Edelman

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