For nearly 10 years, Dr. Jarius Jones has performed in countless stage plays with DJH Productions. His passion for theatre began at an early age while performing in various original plays at his longtime church. However, it wasn’t until Dr. Jones performed in his first Broadway musical (Purlie Victorious) at F.L. Schlagle High School, that he embraced his gift as a performer. Dr. Jones often recounts that the stage is where he truly found his voice; giving him the confidence to pursue other endeavors.
A Kansas City, Kansas native and 22-year veteran educator, Dr. Jones is presently serving in his second year as the Director of Classified Human Resources in the Shawnee Mission School District. Prior to transitioning into his current role, Dr. Jones served as the Principal of Center Middle School in the Center School District in Kansas City, MO (2019-2021); Principal of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School (2017-2019) and as a Vice Principal of Northeast High School (2016-2017) in the Kansas City Public Schools (KCPS). Dr. Jones served as an Instructional Coach/Teacher Leader in the Kansas City, KS Public Schools (KCKPS) for seven years. In the Spring of 2001, Dr. Jones was selected to join the first cohort of the Kansas City Teaching Fellows, which allowed him to begin his seven-year teaching (Mathematics) tenure at Wyandotte High School.
He has a B.S. in Education from the University of Kansas, an M.S. in Teaching Certification from Pittsburg State University, and he completed his Ed.D. in District Level Leadership at the University of Kansas. Dr. Jones has been actively involved in various afterschool programs throughout the last 21 years; particularly, the Kansas City, Kansas Urban Academies (i.e. Saturday Science and Math Academy, Summer Science Academy through the Health Careers Pathways Program (KUMed), the Science Education Partnership Award program (SEPA), K-12 Initiative); additionally, he assisted with the coordination of the initial Summer Academy Programs for Kauffman Scholars, Inc. In 2005, Dr. Jones co-founded the Kansas City, KS Public Schools Math Relays, which became a highly anticipated event with over 1,100 3rd-12th grade student competitors from every elementary and secondary schools in KCKPS.
Presently, Dr. Jones serves on the Board of Directors for: Start a Smile Foundation, Pentecostal Church of God in Christ, and The Good Work. He was appointed to serve on various Kansas State Department of Education committees/initiatives geared towards improving conditions and opportunities for teachers and students. In 2017, Dr. Jones was recognized by the Friends of Yates in Kansas City, KS as a Black Man of Distinction. A 1993 graduate of F. L. Schlagle High School, Dr. Jones was inducted into the KCKPS Reasons To Believe Alumni Honor Roll for his professional achievements, in 2012. Dr. Jones is the extremely proud husband of his college sweetheart Kim (Guthrie) Jones, and he is the proud father of five amazing children (Mija, Jarius, II, Olivia, Alexandria and Victoria).