Superintendent Andrew Jordan, a longtime educator and Illinois Principals Association Principal of the Year (2022), is calling on teachers, administrators, and education leaders to rethink how they define and measure success in today’s schools. Drawing on his own journey from principal to superintendent—and lessons learned from sports, community events, and school leadership—Jordan says real success isn’t loud. It’s built quietly through trust, purpose, and small, consistent wins.
“Success isn’t always a headline,” Jordan says. “It’s a student who finally raises their hand. It’s a parent who shows up for the first time. That’s where the real wins are.”
Why This Conversation Matters Now
Educator burnout is rising at alarming rates. According to a 2024 report from the National Education Association, 55% of U.S. educators have considered leaving the profession, citing stress, lack of support, and a growing disconnect between policy and purpose. Meanwhile, schools continue to face pressure to hit academic benchmarks and improve test scores—often at the cost of teacher and student well-being.
Jordan believes this disconnect is rooted in how we define success.
“We’ve made success about performance metrics. But if we don’t protect purpose, we lose people,” he says. “That’s how burnout starts—not just from overwork, but from forgetting why you started.”
Success That’s Built, Not Bought
Jordan’s view of success is shaped by more than test scores. His background includes running athletic events like the Stockton 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament for 15 years and co-founding community-focused races like the Wine Run 5K. Those experiences showed him how much success depends on people, planning, and presence—not just outcomes.
“Some years the tournament went perfectly. Some years it rained, volunteers dropped out, and the scoreboard broke,” Jordan recalls. “But people still showed up, because they trusted the ‘why’ behind it. That’s what we need more of in schools.”
A Personal Call to Action
Jordan is encouraging educators and school leaders to shift their focus from external validation to internal purpose. His suggestions include:
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Start a “Why I Teach” file – Collect notes, emails, and moments that remind you of your impact. Revisit it often.
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Talk about real wins – Celebrate the moments that don’t show up on spreadsheets.
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Lead with listening – Ask your staff what they need—not just what’s due.
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Protect time for reflection – Even 15 minutes a week can help realign goals and reduce burnout.
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Share with your peers – Join committees, attend conferences, and hear what’s working in other schools.
“If we want educators to stay, we have to let them lead with heart,” Jordan says. “And we have to create space for that heart to show up.”
Changing the Scoreboard
The future of education, Jordan says, depends on what we choose to count.
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Are we only tracking grades and attendance?
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Or are we also counting connection, confidence, and growth?
He’s not anti-data. But he is pro-context.
“The scoreboard’s important,” he says. “But so is the locker room. What happens behind the scenes—the relationships, the effort, the reflection—that’s where real success lives.”
About Andrew Jordan
Andrew Jordan is a superintendent, former principal, and educational leader based in Stockton, Illinois. He is a two-time master’s graduate, recipient of the Stronger Connections Grant (ISBE, 2024), and member of state-level educational committees including the Illinois Masonic Student Assistance Program (IMSAP) and Representative Jason Bunting’s Educational Committee. He has presented at multiple statewide academic conferences and remains actively engaged in both education and community service initiatives.
CALL TO ACTION
Educators: Redefine your success story. This week, take 10 minutes to reflect. Write down one moment that reminded you why you started. Share it with a colleague. Lead with that—then repeat.
Media Contact: To read the full Interview, click here. Email: andrewjordan@emaildn.com
Media Contact
Contact Person: Andrew Jordan
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Country: United States
Website: andrewjordanillinois.com
