Joseph Jones has named his favorite aspect of teaching after a regional power supplier.

“I call it the ‘Alabama Power’ effect,” Jones says. “I guess I teach and reteach material so much that this effect is easier to see now. I see the light bulb come on in a student's eyes when they finally understand and comprehend a subject that I have tried to get across to them. That’s the best reward.”

Jones is a special education teacher at Perdido School, north of Bay Minette, where he also coaches all boys’ sports and is the school’s athletic director.

Jones says a teacher and a coach he had when he was younger influenced his career choice later in life.

“I was always influenced by my teachers in school,” Jones says. “My high school history teacher Mrs. Susan Bargainer cultivated my love of history. I love learning about the past and how history repeats itself. We learn from our mistakes and hopefully make the future a better place.”

Jones says a football coach from his past was a big influence on him.

“My junior high and high school head football coach Jim Autrey influenced me the most,” Jones says. “He was a World War II veteran that led by example. I still remember the life lessons he taught me on those early August mornings after the 20th 100-yard sprint. I try everyday to impart that wisdom to my own boys.”

Jones says the lessons he learned all those years ago on the football field — that hard work pays off, nothing is a given and everything is earned — are the lessons he wants to instill in his own students.

While working with his students is his favorite part of the job, Jones says his least favorite part is easily the misconceptions people have about the career.

“Some think we get the summers off and we have it made,” Jones says. “I appreciate the idea, but anyone who knows a teacher understands how big of a fallacy that is.”

TEACHER: Joseph Jones

SCHOOL: Perdido School

SUBJECT(S) TAUGHT: Special education