Bio

D'Yonne Stella Marie Jones is a TAP-trained, data-driven educator deeply committed to impacting all students' learning inside and around the school. Her innovative strategies, such as differentiated instruction, formative assessments, and evidence-based interventions, have significantly increased student proficiency and transformed many students' lives. For instance, she has a structured process of identifying and targeting skills students need to be proficient in, developing personalized intervention plans, and tracking their progress. This process has successfully moved numerous students from non-proficient to proficient plus. 

Miss Jones has made significant strides in her current role as the Intensive English I (transitional ninth), which involves preparing students for the transition to high school. Students' overall English I Progress Index grew from 0% to 37.1% (overall) / 45% (targeted) by incorporating best instructional practices, DeptWide: +12.7; District Wide: +2.5 DPS). In the Spring 2023 LEAP2025 testing cycle, Carencro High School grew an additional 3.2 index points from [SPS: 59.9 D to 82.0 B, then 85.2 B, respectively], earning state-level recognitions from the Louisiana Department of Education 2023 Top Gains Honoree and 2023 Opportunity Honoree. By targeting achievement, @datadrivendyonne saw over 90% of her Intensive English I students progress towards Mastery, achieving Highly Effective scores in VAM, SLT, and COMPASS Observation. In May 2023, she became state-certified as a Level 3 teacher and NIET/TAP Mentor Teacher Evaluator. She works alongside fellow African American Studies (AAS) teachers 220512, LPSS Social Studies district leaders and the authors of BH365 to develop the AAS curriculum in alignment with Collegeboard's AP African American Studies for LPSS Academics. In Miss Jones's AAS class, students explore history with curiosity through various channels, including a student-led podcast, "Philosophy Wit Da 4”, produced and written by students.  The students also created a comprehensive timeline, “Journey Through Black Freedom,” narrating the intricate threads of African-American history. She also serves on the Lafayette Parish School System ELA 6-12 committee representing Carencro High School: Intensive English I in supporting all students needing exceptional services in growth to Mastery. 

During the summer of 2023, D'Yonne presented for the A+PEL Regional State Conference, the LETA Technology Conference as a Certified Quizizz Educator, and the LPSS District-Wide Conferences for ELA 6-12 & Social Studies [African American Studies] (AAS). Her presentations were well-received and led to significant changes in teaching practices.  In the Fall of 2023, she received a Keys to Literacy Boon Scholarship and a 2024 Teacher Scholarship focused on Accelerating Foundational Skills for Older Readers using the Collaborative Classroom program SIPPS (Systematic Instruction in Phonological Awareness, Phonics, and Sight Words). In the Spring of 2024, she presented at the 2024 Louisiana ACT Summit, "Harmonizing Learning Objectives: Integrating ACT & SAT Standards with CCSS," and the Teach-Out Loud Annual Conference, "From Drowning to Diving: How to Use Data to Your Advantage. Her presentations at these conferences sparked discussions and inspired educators to implement new strategies. In continuing teacher leader excellence, D'Yonne will also present best practices for the Data in Education conference on June 11th and the National ACT Virtual Summit on August 15th. 

Her vision of "student-owned facilitation of tiered, standards-based curriculum utilizing timely, data-driven, teacher-facilitated instructional practices" has not only made her an award-winning teacher of excellence but also a beacon of inspiration for her students and peers. Her achievements, including being a 2024 United Way of Acadiana Teacher Award Finalist, a 2022/2023 Carencro High School Teacher of the Year, and a 2023 Lafayette Parish School System High School Teacher of the Year Semifinalist, are a testament to her dedication and educational impact. The East Baton Rouge Parish School System for Outstanding Service recognized her for teaching excellence from 2018 to 2022, further highlighting her exceptional educational contributions.

Phenomenally, a Teacher,

D'Yonne S. M. Jones, M.Ed.

@datadrivendyonne