Sheryle Jones

Retrospections Sheryle Jones

Retrospections is the memoirsof Florida educator, A. QuinnJones, Sr. The book covers his formative, high school and college years. Hefurthered his education by completing summer courses and earned advanceddegrees. The obstacles and challenges he faced, growing up and as a workingprofessional, during the segregation era in the South are disclosed. Specifically he outlined the development of the curriculum of Lincoln High School (Gainesville. Florida)which culminated in the school being the second African-American school to befully accredited in Florida. This allowed studentsto officially earn a diploma. His combined positions of teacher and principalreinforced a dual perspective of dealing with unacceptable working conditionsin which teachers lacked basic teaching tools and how he organized fundraisingdrives. He experienced recruiting problems of finding and hiring qualifiedteachers. Included are special treats of vintage, one-of-a kind photos, awards,citations, commencement programs and special programs honoring hiscontributions to the Gainesville and Alachua County communities. As a tribute to his outstanding contributions to the community, A. Quinn JonesElementary School (currently the A. Quinn Jones Center) was named in his honor. Until his death in 1997 at the age of 104, he was the oldest living graduate ofFlorida A&M University.