“Classroom management from a military perspective is fairly easy. You’re just so used to telling people what to do. These are young kids, and at school they will do the right thing.”

Two decades in the Marines helped a Memphis math teacher enforce discipline in his classroom, and now he is earning national praise for inspiring students.

Bernell Jones, a seventh grade math teacher at White Station Middle School, received the 2019 Inspiring Educator award from Edmentum Inc., a national online education company.

Edmentum honors teachers who they believe push students to reach their full potential. Jones was one of four in the country to be recognized with the Inspiring Educator award.

“I was surprised, but I was happy about the award,” said Jones, who does not know who nominated him. “It’s not often that you get recognition for doing a great job.”

He said the honor of receiving the award motivates him to do better in the classroom and help his students achieve a career.

Before teaching, Jones worked as a computer specialist in the Marines. After leaving the Marines in 2002, he consulted with a career adviser who told him to teach math.

“I never really thought that regularly about teaching, but I always taught people,” Jones said. “I always acted like I knew all this or all that, but I always loved math.”

Jones decided to get a master’s in teaching at Christian Brothers University. After he graduated, he took a job at White Station Middle, where he has taught for 16 years.

He said his time in the Marines helped him form a respectable classroom structure, where anything he says goes.

“Classroom management from a military perspective is fairly easy,” Jones said. “You’re just so used to telling people what to do. These are young kids, and at school they will do the right thing.”

Jones said at first he was “snappy” when it came to classroom rules, but eventually he learned to lighten up.

Now, he hosts waffle festivals and “pi” days to help students look forward to math.

“I get notes at the end of the year, and they say, ‘Mr. Jones, I didn’t like math at first, but you made it fun, and now I like math,’ ” he said. “I had a student that sent me an email that now she’s teaching math, and hearing that, it’s just worth it.”

Jones said he advises math teachers to take chances in their classrooms, and make it fun for not only students but teachers as well. He said those days help connect the teachers and students.

“It’s easier to teach someone that can relate to you,” Jones said. “Now, just like any teacher I have haters, but it’s part of the business.”

Jones said he tries to impact the students as best as he can, and he hopes they leave his class with a phrase in mind.

“I have a saying for my students when they leave,” Jones said. “I always tell them, ‘Stay positive, stay Marines. Honor, courage and commitment.’ ”

Dima Amro Memphis Commercial Appeal USA TODAY NETWORK – TENNESSEE