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Hope Jones

Director of Pre-K to 8

Hope has served as director of Pre-K to 8 since 2014. Prior to her work here, she was assistant head of lower school at Viewpoint School in Calabasas, Calif. There, she was also primary and lower school curriculum coordinator, co-chair of the Technology in Curriculum Task Force, and communication liaison for K-5 school publications. Hope holds a B.A. in Elementary Education and English from the University of Alabama – Huntsville as well as an M.A. in Middle Level Curriculum and Instruction from George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. She has 15 years of teaching experience at schools in Alabama, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and California. Hope and her husband, Charles, have two children, Hannah and Charlie.

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College Education

B.A. University of Alabama - Huntsville

M.A. George Mason University

From the Director of Pre-K to 8: Mission Moments Matter

PK-8 | Hope Jones, February 2, 2025

As we move into February, I find myself reflecting on what makes Darlington so extraordinary. It’s not just the beautiful campus, the engaging academics, enrichment opportunities, or the human connection between teacher and student. It’s something deeper—something that resonates in the very heart of our school community: OUR MISSION.

From the Director of Pre-K to 8: Are You Smarter Than a Fifth-Grader…When It Comes to Social Media?

PK-8 | Hope Jones, December 29, 2024

Happy New Year to you and your families! I hope your holiday season has been filled with moments of joy, connection and relaxation. For many of our students, this time of year brought something particularly exciting: shiny new devices and access to new apps. These gifts open doors to connection, learning, and creativity – but they also come with challenges that we, as parents and educators, need to tackle together.

From the Director of Pre-K to 8: Fuel the Fire - Encouraging Curiosity in Your Child

PK-8 | Hope Jones, November 24, 2024

I want to take a moment to talk about something truly at the heart of every child’s journey: CURIOSITY. Every child is born with an instinct to explore, discover, and make sense of the world – a spark that lights the way for their growth and learning. As parents and educators, we are partners in nurturing that spark, ensuring it burns brightly through every stage of their lives.

From the Director of Pre-K to 8: Hindsight is 20/20 - The Lighthouse Parenting Approach

PK-8 | Hope Jones, October 27, 2024

Lighthouse parenting is a balanced approach that allows children to grow, make mistakes, and learn, all while providing them with the guidance they need along the way. Like the steady light of a lighthouse, you remain a constant, reliable presence in your child’s life, ready to guide them when they veer off course but without stepping in to solve every problem.

From the Director of Pre-K to 8: Building a Strong Partnership - The Power of Parent-Teacher Conferences

PK-8 | Hope Jones, September 29, 2024

As a parent of a child in primary, lower, or middle grades, you are a key partner in your child’s educational journey. Your involvement, alongside the guidance of teachers, plays a pivotal role in shaping their academic and personal growth. One of the most effective ways to strengthen this partnership is through parent-teacher conferences.

Episode 153: Middle Grade Trips Recap

March 14, 2024

In this episode, Director of Pre-K to 8 Hope Jones talks with sixth-grader Finley Laliberte, seventh-grader Walker Kines and eighth-grader Sterling Pollard about their week-long grade-level trips in February.

Episode 120: A Look at Summer Professional Development

July 27, 2023

In this episode, Professional Development Coordinator Rebekah Kinney talks with second-grade teacher Courtney Cescutti, Director of Pre-K to 8 Hope Jones, Director of the Teaching and Learning Center Jessica Laliberte and pre-K teacher Beth Smith about their summer professional development activities. They share about each of the work they have been doing within their colleagues and how it has prepared them for the coming school year.

Episode 95: Building Soft Skills in Pre-K to 8 Performing Arts

February 2, 2023

In this episode, Director of Pre-K to 8 Hope Jones talks with Director of Fine Arts Kim Tunnell, Theatre Director Shelley Daniel, Choral Director Alex Johnson and Pre-K to 8 Music Teacher Caitlyn Terry. Together, they talk about performing arts in the Pre-K to 8 and how performance opportunites and arts education provides all students with the ability to build soft skills like confidence, connection and compassion.

Episode 73: A Glimpse Into Active Learning in the Middle Grades

September 1, 2022

In this episode, Director of Pre-K to 8 Hope Jones talks with middle grades teachers Andrew Beckman, science; Ashley Evans, Spanish; and Kevin Ivester ('87), math, about active learning and the skills-based curriculum in the middle grades. They share active learning stories from their classrooms and touch on why they think Darlington's skills-based curriculum benefits students at this age.

Episode 48: Middle Grade Trips Recap

March 10, 2022

In this episode, Director of Pre-K to 8 Hope Jones talks with sixth-grader Brier Lanier, seventh-grader Soren Chapman and eighth-grader Gracie Cowan about their week-long grade-level trips in February.