Meet Mr. Daniel Jones! Mr. Jones is one of our newest faculty members at the Mountain. Joining us from a middle school in Kissimmee, Florida, Mr. Jones has hit the ground running and is already showing his commitment to make Pine Mountain the best place for our kids to learn.

As we begin the fourth week of school, Mr. Jones has started two new organizations for students to be able to join: Technology Student Association and Odyssey of the Mind. In addition, he has also written a grant through Donor's Choose to help fund his work with the students. 

According to the Technology Student Association, "(TSA) is a national organization of students engaged in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). TSA chapters take the study of STEM beyond the classroom and give students the chance to pursue academic challenges among friends with similar goals and interests. Together, TSA chapter members work on competitive events, learn and apply leadership skills, and may attend conferences at the state, regional, and national levels." 

Odyssey of the Mind  "teaches students how to develop and use their natural creativity to become problem-solvers. Imagine being faced with a problem that requires an original solution. It can be frightening. Now imagine not being afraid to solve that problem – that is what OM members learn. This skill and self-confidence will carry over to all areas of their lives. OM brings the classroom to life as students apply what they learn and combine it with their interests and passions to solve our unique open-ended problems. OM also emphasizes teamwork, budgeting, time management, public speaking, and so much more. This international program is designed to help students at all learning levels grow as individual learners, grow as team members, and to reach their full potential."