Jon Holmes is in his fifth yearastheprincipalatKingston High School. Holmes said he enjoys the small-town community feel.
“I like Kingston, it is unique,” Holmes said. “I enjoy the close-knit staff and students. Everyone looks out for one another and everyone cares about the community.”
Holmes said he didn’t always know that he wanted to be in education, but he knew his career would involve kids.
“I was a typical high school kid trying to figure out what I wanted to do,” he said. “I loved being involved with the kids and people. I had great mentors in elementary that shaped and molded my desire to pursue a career in education.”
Holmes graduated from Battiest High School. From there, he attended college at Eastern Oklahoma State College. He moved to Ada a couple of years later and finished his Bachelor’s Degree in Education and Masters in Administration at East Central. This is where he met and married his wife, Linda Holmes,whoisalsoateacher.
Holmes traveled some with his career coming to and from Arkansas in the beginning. Holmes worked as a teacher for Junior High English Language Arts, Science and History in Watson. He also spent time there as a basketball coach.
He had the opportunity to go back to his hometown to be the principal at Battiest for six years. After that, he took a job at Milburn as the Superintendent for six years. He said he didn’t enjoy the superintendent stint.
“The superintendent position was not my cup of tea,” Holmes said. “As the principal I am more involved with the students and I like that a lot better.”
He went on to become the principal at Tishomingo for six years before settling into Kingston. First at the middle school and now happily at the high school.
Holmes said he enjoys watching his students grow and flourish.
“Seeing students achieve their fullest potential after high school, and become productive citizens,” he said. “Mostly seeing them become successful.”
Jon and Linda Holmes raised two sons. Rylee, 23, graduated from Southeastern earning his degree in Wildlife Biology. Grant, 20, attended Oklahoma State University IT earning his degree as a High Voltage Lineman.
The Holmes family love to beoutdoors.Theylovetohunt and fish together. Holmes ownsahoghuntingexcursion outfit, Shiloh Ranch, located South of Stonewall. The 250acre ranch is licensed by the state for year-round hog hunting adventures.