February 12, 2025
Middle Road Elementary School paraprofessional Ms. Kristina Jones as a kindness ambassador by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) during its annual statewide Kindness Week initiative.
SEE MORE PHOTOS: PGCPS on Flickr
Started in 2021, Virginia Kindness Week shines a light on the simple day-to-day acts of kindness that enable schools, communities, and the state to be a kinder, safer, healthier, and more inclusive place to live, work, learn, and play. The week-long recognition promotes positivity and supports a statewide culture where schools, localities, businesses, organizations, and individual citizens can come together to acknowledge, connect, and foster kindness in the community.
On Wednesday, February 12, 2025, the Middle Road Elementary School community surprised Ms. Jones with the kindness ambassador recognition during a special event at their school, including the presentation of a special certificate by VDOE representatives honoring her for her many contributions to supporting students each day.
Ms. Jones teaches in the K-2 self-contained classroom at the school, where she supports students with diverse needs and challenges. In her everyday interactions, she consistently strives to foster a welcoming and supportive atmosphere, always maintaining a bright smile and a positive attitude. Whether she's sharing encouraging words, assisting students in resolving conflicts, offering individualized support, or simply providing a caring presence, Ms. Jones has a remarkable talent for helping others feel appreciated and respected. Her patience, empathy, and uplifting spirit make her a role model for students and staff.
"Through her work with students, Ms. Jones not only supports their academic growth but also nurtures their emotional development, consistently encouraging kindness in every interaction," Ms. Tammarra Lewis, Middle Road Elementary School counselor, said. "She is dedicated to ensuring that all students feel included and appreciated, and her actions serve as a powerful example of kindness. Every day, she speaks motivating words to her students, offers solutions when others have become discouraged, and takes initiative when others—whether staff or teachers—feel burned out. Ms. Jones continuously fosters a classroom culture of kindness, and her influence is evident as the students she works with begin to model these behaviors in their interactions with others."
In addition to the daily examples of Ms. Jones' contributions of kindness and compassion, her remarkable resilience amid unimaginable loss following the sudden death of her 10-year-old son and MRES student in a car accident inspired her entire school community.
"While she took time off to grieve, Ms. Jones was uncertain if she would be able to return to work, fearing that her grief would affect her ability to support her students," Ms. Lewis shared. "During her absence, the classroom struggled greatly, but Ms. Jones continued to offer solutions and strategies to support the students from afar. Less than a month later, she made the decision to return to her classroom, showing the same level of kindness and support for her students that she always had. She continues to come to work every day, offering the same consistent care and kindness to all. Her ability to keep moving forward with grace and kindness, despite the depths of her personal grief, is truly inspiring to all."
“We are elated to celebrate Ms. Kristina Jones as a VDOE Kindness Ambassador during this year’s Virginia Kindness Week,” PGCPS Division Superintendent Dr. Wayne Lyle said. “Kindness, empathy, and compassion are essential traits in education, and Ms. Jones’ embodies each of them through her work with our students at Middle Road Elementary. We thank Ms. Jones for her dedication to her students and school, and for being a shining example of the amazing people who serve the children of Prince George County.”
"I join our entire board in celebrating Ms. Kristina Jones being named a kindness ambassador during Virginia Kindness Week this year," Prince George County School Board Chairman Rob Eley said. "In our schools, there are so many individual acts of kindness that happen every day, benefit our children, our staff, and all of Prince George County. Ms. Jones is an example of someone who supports her students wholeheartedly, and we appreciate and celebrate her on this tremendous honor alongside her Middle Road Elementary School family."
In addition to this recognition, Ms. Jones was recently selected as Middle Road Elementary School's support employee of the year for the 2024-25 School Year. She will be honored alongside other support employee of the year honorees across Prince George County Public Schools during the Monday, April 14, 2025, Prince George County School Board regular business meeting, where the division-wide support employee of the year will be announced to the community.
To learn more about Virginia Kindness Week, visit the Virginia Department of Education's website at https://www.doe.virginia.gov/programs-services/student-services/integrated-student-supports/virginia-kindness-week. For more photos, visit the division's website at http://www.pgs.k12.va.us, or follow Prince George County Public Schools on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/princegeorgeschools.