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- Mr. David Jons, Spanish Instructor
Mr. David Jons, Spanish Instructor
Have you noticed a new face around McKee this semester?
David Jons and his wife, Bonnie Claxton
Mr. David Jons joined the Spanish Program faculty over the summer and is currently teaching courses in four different levels (!) this semester: 101, 231, 321, and 452. It's no small feat to work with students on all levels every day, but you'd be challenged to find Mr. Jons without a smile on his face. He says: "I love teaching Spanish and find it especially rewarding to help students develop the tools to communicate about their lives, interests, and experiences in Spanish."
Although he has been living in Sylva for eight years, Mr. Jons also has lived in northern Minnesota (where he was born), as well as in Athens, Georgia, and even in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He earned his undergraduate degree in Spanish at Minnesota State University Moorhead and a master's degree in Spanish from the University of Georgia. Although he has taught Spanish at the University of Georgia, the University of Minnesota, and Southwestern Community College, he points out: "some of my most valuable work experience has been waiting tables at several restaurants, teaching driver's education, and interpreting at a credit card call center."
Malcolm and Virgil
Mr. Jons is familiar with both sides of the study abroad experience, since he studied abroad as an undergraduate in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, and he has worked on study abroad in Costa Rica and in Argentina. Additionally, he has led trips to England, Scotland, and Italy.
His wife, Bonnie Claxton, is an attorney in Cherokee, and they have two children: eight-year-old Malcolm and four-year-old Virgil. Mr. Jons says he spends most of his free time playing with his kids, playing the guitar, and hanging out with his wife and friends.
As for his experiences so far, Mr. Jons says: "I’m thrilled to be at Western and have really enjoyed getting to interact with students this semester. I look forward to the time when we can all be on campus together again!"
(Don't we all, Mr. Jons! Bienvenido a WCU.)
