Andrew Jordan Principal Emphasizes Incremental Progress in Open Letter on Building Better Futures

Andrew Jordan Principal, the 2022 Illinois Principals Association Principal of the Year and current superintendent, released an open letter on July 28, 2026, urging individuals to focus on incremental progress rather than waiting for perfect conditions. Drawing on his career as a teacher, principal, and superintendent, Jordan emphasizes that meaningful change often begins with one practical step.

In the letter, Jordan recounts transforming an underused school library by rearranging existing furniture and painting walls, a project that later supported grant funding. He stresses that small adjustments made consistently often outperform large changes implemented too late. Jordan notes, "You don't need perfect conditions. You need people who are willing to start."

The importance of small actions is backed by research from sources like the National Center for Education Statistics, which reports nearly one in five U.S. public school students attends a rural school. The Learning Policy Institute found that regular progress monitoring can improve student interventions by nearly 20 percent. Additionally, RAND research indicates that schools using shorter review cycles can improve outcomes more quickly than those relying solely on annual planning. The U.S. Department of Education links strong family and community engagement to higher student attendance and improved school climate.

Jordan provides a list of actionable steps individuals can take within a week, such as identifying one problem to improve, organizing a space, or asking someone how to make their week easier. He encourages readers to choose one action and commit to it for seven days, emphasizing consistency over perfection. The open letter serves as a reminder that progress often starts with small, practical decisions.