Lake County Gazette

Each week during the 2025-26 school year, Granite City Community Unit School District 9 is highlighting staff members who contribute positively to students’ experiences. This week’s spotlight is on Lisa Jones, a paraprofessional teacher for 5th and 6th grades at Lake Education Support Services Center (ESSC). Jones has been with the district for 19 years, including nine years as a substitute and ten years as a full-time employee.

Jones attended Belleville Area College, where she earned her paraprofessional certification. She describes her family as large and close-knit, saying, “I have a really big family, we are super close and family is everything to me. I have a 24-year old son and he is my world. I have three sisters and one brother still with us. My siblings and our families spend as much time together as we can. We look forward to the holidays and any reason to have a get together.”

In her free time, Jones enjoys crafting with her sisters: “I love to craft and make things, my sisters and I craft together. The majority of my free time is spent with my family.” Her favorite foods are pasta and Mexican cuisine.

When asked about role models, Jones said: “I look upon to my older sister Debbie. Fun fact, she was a principal in our district for years. She has inspired me and encouraged me to be the best me that I can.”

Discussing her work as a paraprofessional, Jones stated: “I love my job! I look forward to coming in every morning and seeing the kids. I really like working with my students; we do crafts, other art projects and spending time learning outside. Being able to support the students is the best part of my job.”

Granite City Community Unit School District 9 serves Madison County through several schools including Coolidge Junior High School, Frohardt Elementary School, Granite City High School, Grigsby Intermediate School, Maryville Elementary School, Mitchell Elementary School, Prather Elementary School, and Wilson Elementary School (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). According to data from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), there are 320 teachers in the district earning an average salary of $67,898 before pension contributions; women make up over three-quarters of teaching staff (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). The student population is diverse: ISBE reports that it is approximately 65 percent White, nearly 16 percent Black, almost 12 percent Hispanic, and less than one percent Asian (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). In fiscal year 2020 the district spent $17,739 per student for a total expenditure of more than $106 million (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).

Community members wishing to nominate staff for future spotlights may email information@gcsd9.net.