Andrew Jordan Principal, the 2022 Illinois Principals Association Principal of the Year and current superintendent, has released an open letter encouraging individuals to tackle challenges by taking small, consistent steps rather than waiting for ideal circumstances. Drawing from his experience as an educator and school leader, Jordan emphasizes that waiting for perfect conditions often leads to inaction.
In the letter, Jordan recalls transforming a quiet, underused school library into a welcoming space by rearranging existing furniture and painting walls, a project that later supported grant funding. 'The goal wasn't to make it perfect. The goal was to make students want to walk through the door,' he writes. He also notes that organizing races taught him the importance of preparation and consistency, applying those lessons to school leadership.
The letter is supported by research from the National Center for Education Statistics, which reports that nearly one in five U.S. public school students attends a rural school. The Learning Policy Institute has found that regular progress monitoring can improve student interventions by nearly 20 percent, while RAND research indicates that shorter review cycles lead to quicker improvements. The U.S. Department of Education links strong family and community engagement to higher attendance and academic performance.
Jordan provides a list of actionable steps for readers, including identifying one problem to improve this week, organizing a frequently used space, asking someone how to make their week easier, and celebrating small successes. 'You don't need perfect conditions. You need people who are willing to start,' he writes.
Andrew Jordan Principal serves as superintendent in Illinois, focusing on practical leadership, community partnerships, and grant-supported initiatives to create lasting impact in schools.
