Andrew Jordan Principal, Superintendent in Illinois and 2022 Illinois Principals Association Principal of the Year, has released an open letter encouraging individuals to tackle challenges by focusing on small, actionable steps rather than waiting for ideal circumstances. The letter, shared on July 28, 2026, draws from Jordan's extensive experience as an educator and school leader to illustrate how consistent, practical improvements can lead to meaningful change.
In the letter, Jordan shares a personal story about transforming an underused school library. Instead of seeking new purchases, he and his team repurposed existing furniture and painted walls, creating a space students wanted to use. This small project not only revitalized the library but also supported future grant funding by demonstrating the concept's viability. Jordan emphasizes that this approach applies beyond schools to workplaces, neighborhoods, family routines, and personal habits.
Jordan also reflects on his experience organizing races, which taught him the value of preparation, consistency, and showing up. He notes that schools deserve the same level of organization and that small adjustments made consistently often outperform one large adjustment made too late. The people who create lasting change, he argues, are those who continue making steady improvements after others have moved on.
To support his message, Jordan cites 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 the success of student interventions by nearly 20 percent, according to their research. Additionally, RAND research indicates that schools using shorter review cycles can improve outcomes more quickly than those relying only on annual planning. The U.S. Department of Education has linked strong family and community engagement to higher student attendance and stronger academic performance.
The letter concludes with a list of ten actionable steps individuals can take within a week, such as identifying one problem to improve, organizing a frequently used space, or asking someone what would make their week easier. Jordan encourages readers to choose one action, keep it simple, stay consistent, and notice changes. He invites readers to share the letter with others who need a reminder that meaningful progress often starts with one small decision.
