Dr. Terrance Jordan begins his tenure as superintendent of Springfield School District 186, bringing more than two decades of experience within the district to the role.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Dr. Terrance Jordan begins his tenure as superintendent of Springfield School District 186, bringing more than two decades of experience within the district to the role.

"I walked in the first day at Feitshans [Elementary School] as a kindergarten teaching assistant and from that point on, I just fell in love with it," said  Jordan. "I went back to school, got my teacher certification and taught first grade.

Jordan worked under many titles at the district. He worked as a librarian, teacher, dean and principal. He spent the past six years as a district-level administrator, most recently as assistant superintendent. Before that, he served as director of school leadership and family and community engagement.

In that role, Jordan launched the now-annual Back to School Fair and the Real Men Read Program.

"I believe in the whole child," Jordan said. "So I don't just stop being concerned about a kid once they leave school. It's our responsibility to take care of these children at school, at home, in the community."

This is part of the reason Jordan says his priority right now is school safety. He knows community issues impact students and teachers and wants to ensure safety is never a concern for them. 

"Physical safety, emotional safety, we want to make sure that our teachers are safe, our environments are safe. That's number one," Jordan said. "We know that what happens in our community influences our students, too."

Jordan also points to recent technological advances as an issue he's focusing on, seeing it as both a tool and a threat. With evolving AI use and increased reliance on mobile technology, he wants to ensure learning isn't threatened. 

He said a field trip early in his teaching career shaped his approach to student opportunity. He recalled students from Springfield who had never seen Lake Springfield and mistook it for the ocean.

"It really taught me a really valuable lesson about experiences and making sure that our kids have a wide range of experiences," Jordan said. "I often say that we want our kids to have dreams and aspirations for a greater future, but sometimes it's up to the adults to create those dreams."

Jordan said this is an opportunity where community partners can make a big difference in students' lives and ensure that they are exposed to a wide variety of ideas. As District 186 continues to invest in students, he hopes the community invests in them. 

"I want to make sure that our kids enjoy coming to school," Jordan said. "I want to create those environments where our staff wants to be there. I want our community to be proud of our schools. I want every kid to feel welcome and supported along with the staff."

District 186 classes begin Monday, Aug. 24.

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