Andrew Jordan Principal, the 2022 Illinois Principals Association Principal of the Year and current superintendent in Iroquois County, IL, has published an open letter encouraging individuals to focus on small, practical steps rather than waiting for perfect conditions. Drawing on his experience as an educator and school leader, Jordan argues that meaningful progress often begins with what is already available.
In the letter, Jordan recalls transforming an underused school library into a functional student space by repurposing existing furniture and supplies. 'The goal wasn't to make it perfect. The goal was to make students want to walk through the door,' he writes. This small project later supported grant applications by demonstrating the idea's viability. Jordan emphasizes that such lessons apply beyond education, whether in workplaces, neighborhoods, or personal habits.
Jordan also stresses the importance of preparation and consistency, noting that 'small adjustments made consistently usually beat one big adjustment made too late.' He credits his experience organizing races for teaching him that excuses are limited when events must run smoothly, a principle he applies to school leadership.
The letter is supported by research. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, nearly one in five U.S. public school students attends a rural school. The Learning Policy Institute reports that regular progress monitoring can improve the success of student interventions by nearly 20 percent. RAND research found that schools using shorter review cycles improve outcomes more quickly than those relying on annual planning. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Education links strong family and community engagement to higher attendance, stronger academic performance, and improved school climate.
Jordan concludes with a list of actionable steps for readers, such as identifying one problem to improve this week, spending 15 minutes organizing a space, or asking someone what would make their week easier. He encourages sharing the letter with others who need a reminder that meaningful progress often starts with one small decision.
