Jon Marc Moore

Department Chairperson and Professor of Kinesiology

2026 Faculty Excellence Award

 

For Jon Marc Moore, the classroom has never just been a workplace. It has been the fulfillment of a lifelong calling.

After 34 years of teaching at South Plains College, Jon Marc has been named a recipient of the Faculty Excellence Award, an honor that recognizes his commitment to student learning, mentorship, and program development.

Jon Marc first stepped onto the SPC campus as a student. He obtained an Associate of Science from the College, followed by a Bachelor of Science from Angelo State University and a Master of Science from West Texas A&M University. Returning to the College as an employee in 1992, he aimed to fulfill one major career goal.

“I have wanted to teach for as long as I can remember, and when I was hired at SPC, a lifelong dream came true,” he said. “To think about how much I have transformed as a teacher over the last 34 years truly astounds me, but I certainly did not do it alone.”

Throughout his career, Jon Marc has emphasized the importance of learning from others, recognizing colleagues across campus for shaping his teaching. He said the late Judy Bryant, former Physical Education Department chairperson, was a great leader who prepared him for the chairperson position he received in 2011 following her retirement.

Outside the Kinesiology Department, Jon Marc has remained engaged across campus and has participated in wildlife biology field trips.

“That experience introduced me to even more exceptional educators, including Kristi Dodson, David Etheredge, Kristin Bingham, and Megan Keith,” he said regarding the trips. “I continue to learn from their teaching methods to this day.”

Throughout his shift to department chairperson, Jon Marc was surrounded by incredible faculty who supported him every step of the way. Even though the administrative responsibilities of the role were initially daunting, he remained committed to keeping teaching at the center of his work.

“One condition of taking that position was that teaching would always remain my priority, and it did,” he said.

One of Jon Marc’s proudest accomplishments was developing an advanced archery course after students expressed interest in continuing their training. He also had the pleasure of teaching students valuable, lifesaving skills during his first-aid classes.

During his tenure as department chair, Jon Marc guided faculty through significant changes, including the transition from the Physical Education Department to Kinesiology. He also supported the development and launch of the department’s sports management program.

As he prepares to step away from his role as department chair after 15 years, Jon Marc said he is eager to return to full-time teaching.

“Even after 34 years, I still get butterflies walking into my classroom on the first day, and I like that,” he said. “Each term, I look forward to meeting my students, learning about their lives, teaching them skills they can use for a lifetime, and learning from them in return.”