Andrew Jordan is an award-winning school leader from Stockton, Illinois. He served as the Superintendent of Donovan CUSD #3 for two years and a respected voice in education reform and community-led school improvement. Known for his hands-on style, Andrew has built his career around solving problems at the ground level—whether it’s turning a library into a media center, leading tutoring grants, or launching sports-based community events.
His journey began at Stockton High School, where he was a state finalist quarterback. He later earned degrees from Northern Illinois University, Western Illinois University, Highland College, and the University of Illinois at Springfield. He has worked as an assistant principal, principal, and now superintendent, with each role teaching him more about leading with purpose.
In 2022, Andrew was named Illinois Principal of the Year by the Illinois Principals Association. He has secured over $270,000 in grants, including the Stronger Connections Grant from ISBE and a High-Impact Tutoring Grant through Illinois State University.
Outside of school leadership, Andrew co-founded J3 Timing which is a fun race timing company with his brother and ran a 3-on-3 basketball tournament that raised over $50,000 for local youth sports organizations. He also serves on the Illinois Masonic Student Assistance Program (IMSAP) state committee and presents at state education conferences.
Andrew believes that small actions—taken by teachers, parents, and local leaders—can make a big difference. His message is simple: “Don’t wait for permission to lead. Just start where you are.”
Interview with Andrew Jordan: Leading from the Ground Up
Q: Andrew, take us back to where your journey in leadership began.
Andrew Jordan: I grew up in Stockton, Illinois. Small town, close community. I played quarterback in high school and we made it to the state championship in 2004. That taught me how to lead under pressure. It also showed me how much a school means to a town and how important school culture is.
Q: How did you transition from sports and community life into education leadership?
Andrew: After high school, I went to Highland Community College, then earned my bachelor’s at Northern Illinois University. I started teaching, then moved into assistant principal and principal roles. I never really saw myself as a “top leader” early on. But the more I got involved, the more I realized leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about solving problems where you are.
Q: What were some of those early problems you felt needed solving?
Andrew: The biggest one was student engagement. Kids were coming to school but not always connecting with it. So we took a school library and turned it into a modern media center—collaborative seating, tech, creative spaces. It wasn’t expensive, but it changed how students felt about learning.
Q: You’ve been praised for securing major grants. How did that come about?
Andrew: We applied for a Stronger Connections Grant from the Illinois State Board of Education. It was $210,693. We also got a High-Impact Tutoring Grant through ISU from 2022–2024. These allowed us to bring in support for students who needed it most. Not just academically, but socially too.
Q: You also have a background in business. Tell us about that.
Andrew: My brother and I co-owned J3 Timing which is a fun race timing company. We ran races, managed timing systems, all of that. We learned marketing, customer service, and logistics. Those skills directly transferred into running a school district. You need to think like a business—budgets, outcomes, people.
Q: And you ran a basketball tournament for 15 years?
Andrew: Yes, the Stockton 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament. It started as a fun community idea. Over the years, it raised over $50,000 for local projects. What I loved was how it brought people together—players, parents, businesses, volunteers. That’s how education should feel.
Q: What role does sport play in your leadership philosophy?
Andrew: Sport teaches teamwork, failure, grit, and leadership. It’s education outside the classroom. I was also on the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association voting committee for Class 1A/2A All-State teams from 2014 to 2016. I’ve always seen sport as a way to reach students that textbooks sometimes can’t.
Q: You’re now a superintendent. What’s different about leading at that level?
Andrew: The scale changes, but the mission doesn’t. I’m still solving daily problems—just on a district level. Whether it’s teacher retention, student wellbeing, or keeping the lights on. I’m in classrooms often. I don’t believe in staying in the office. Leadership needs to be visible.
Q: You serve on state education committees as well. How has that shaped your thinking?
Andrew: I work with the Illinois Masonic Student Assistance Program (IMSAP), which offers free training to schools. That’s worth over $80,000 in value, given away. I also served on Representative Jason Bunting’s Education Committee. These roles help me bring ideas from our district into state-level conversations—and bring resources back.
Q: What advice would you give other school leaders or even business owners looking to make impact?
Andrew: You don’t need big money to start. Look around: What space isn’t being used? Who in your town can volunteer one hour a week? What do your students care about? Start there. That’s what builds trust and real results.
Q: What keeps you going?
Andrew: Seeing students grow into confident young adults. And watching teachers light up when their ideas are supported. That’s the reward. You don’t need to be in a big city to make a big difference.
