Biography

I had a privileged childhood--my parents read to me, my grandparents told me stories, we had newspapers, magazines and books in our home. My favorite stories when I was a little kid--Mrs. Ticklefeather and the Puffin, The Little Squeegy Bug, and The Boxcar Children--initiated my love for the English language and an awareness of the powerful effect that literature can have on us.

I decided to become an English teacher sometime in high school, soon after I realized that being an orthodontist wasn't likely my calling. I was an English major and an art minor in college, and I pursued a secondary school teaching certificate. In 1972 I started teaching high school English in Oregon and continued that for seven years.

At the end of the 70s my wife, Janell, my two young sons, and I moved to Andrews where I completed a master's degree. In 1980 I accepted an appointment here, established the Writing Center, and taught basic writing courses. Since then I've enjoyed teaching a variety of courses; among my favorites are secondary methods, young adult literature, American literature, grammar, and composition. In 1990 I completed a doctorate in English at Michigan State University; my dissertation is titled "The Tradition of Didacticism in Early American Reading Texts, 1789-1830."

Although my heart has always been in this department, I've not always lived here. In 1996 I took up duties across campus as Director of University Relations and editor of Focus, the university's alumni journal. Then in 2000 I moved to Washington, D.C., where for two years I served as Vice President of Academic Administration at Columbia Union College. Most recently I've enjoyed working with certification students here at Andrews in the School of Education, observing student teachers and early teaching literacy courses. While I've enjoyed a variety of experiences outside the English Department, I'm very happy to be "back home."

However, I do have a life outside Nethery Hall. My wife, who's a nurse practitioner in radiation oncology, and I enjoy travel, gardening, and walking Jazzy, our Airedale terrier. Our two grown sons and wonderful daughter-in-law amaze us with their talent and wit. Lately I've dug up my old paint brushes and have painted quite a bit. Of course, I read a lot, too. My favorite books include To Kill a Mockingbird, Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant, Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All, the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and All the Pretty Horses. (Ask me for the rest of my list.)

Current Research or Professional Activities

Conference Presentation:
Jones, Douglas A. “At-Risk High School Boys Talk about Their Reading and What It Means to Them.” In “Finding a Voice through Other People’s Voices,” a panel presentation. College English Association, 26 March 2010, San Antonio, Texas.