Andrew Jordan Principal, the 2022 Illinois Principals Association Principal of the Year and current superintendent, has released an open letter urging individuals to tackle challenges by focusing on one practical step at a time. Drawing from his experience as an educator and school leader, Jordan argues that waiting for ideal circumstances often leads to inaction.
"You don't have to solve every challenge this week. You just have to solve the one sitting in front of you," Jordan writes. He illustrates this with an example from his career: a quiet, underused school library was transformed by rearranging existing furniture and painting walls, rather than waiting for new purchases. This small project not only created a welcoming space but also supported future grant funding by demonstrating the concept's viability.
The letter extends beyond education, applying to workplaces, neighborhoods, and personal habits. Jordan emphasizes that preparation, consistency, and showing up are more critical than making giant changes overnight. "Small adjustments made consistently usually beat one big adjustment made too late," he notes.
Research cited in the release supports this approach. 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 student intervention success by nearly 20 percent. RAND research finds that schools using shorter review cycles improve outcomes faster than those relying on annual planning. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Education links strong family and community engagement to higher attendance and academic performance.
Jordan offers a list of actionable steps individuals can take within a week, such as identifying one problem to improve, organizing a frequently used space, asking someone what would make their week easier, or encouraging a student or coworker. He stresses that lasting change comes from those who continue making steady improvements after others have moved on.
The open letter concludes with a reminder that perfect conditions are not necessary; what matters is a willingness to start. Jordan thanks readers for their efforts in supporting others and encourages sharing the message with anyone who needs a reminder that meaningful progress often begins with one small decision.
