Meet Christina Jordan

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Jordan. 

Christina, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Since I was a little girl, I always knew that I wanted to be a teacher. I have always enjoyed working with children in many capacities such as babysitting, Girl Scouts, Bible School Teacher, Camp Counselor, and a classroom teacher. I was so excited to become a teacher and experience the joys of watching my students grow in their learning. I am celebrating my 11th year in education! My journey to becoming a teacher was not easy. I have always wanted to work with children but wasn’t sure in what capacity. At first, I thought that I wanted to be a Child Psychologist. I graduated with a Psychology degree from the University of West Georgia. I was excited to explore this career. After college, I became a substitute teacher. I figured it would help me decide what I wanted to do with my life. I remember asking God to help me find my purpose in life. In every answered prayer, it led me to the classroom. It was calling my name. 

I was ready to answer my call and pursue a career as a teacher. I enrolled at Mercer University to get my Masters of Arts in Teaching. 

In my 11 years in education, I never felt I made the wrong decision. Through all of the challenges, I am truly walking in my purpose. I get a chance to enhance the knowledge my students already possess. 

Has it been a smooth road?
Being a teacher is not as easy as it looks. We are responsible for so much. My title as a teacher or educator is an umbrella. We wear so many hats like a teacher, counselor, nurse, mediator, etc. Another challenge is the lack of respect we have from people we thought would support us. It’s true, we do not get paid what we should be paid but I knew going into this field, money was not my motivation. It would help if we had more assistance with our student loans. 

It can be difficult to balance all of the paperwork, discipline, and various other tasks required in addition to making sure the students learn what they need to learn to be successful. 

I make the best of what I do by telling myself that I am here for the students! I want them to keep their love of learning at a high level. 

Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of. What sets you apart from others?
I am so proud to say that I am a teacher! It is truly satisfying to watch my students grow from the beginning of the year to the end. I get excited when I see that light bulb click or when my students have an “Aha” moment. Not only do I enjoy teaching my students, but I enjoy learning from my students. They keep me humble. They make me laugh and have genuine hearts. They know I love them and I know they love me. I truly enjoy my colleagues. I love the fact that I can enhance my skills in the classroom by observing and/or helping other teachers. To me, that is the best professional development. 

What sets me apart from others is that I am one of the lucky people who are living their dream. It is something that I have always wanted to do. I look forward to helping other teachers become teachers as a mentor and eventually as an Instructional Coach. My future goal is to move up into administration in the Education field. I want to strengthen my walk in my purpose. 

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Education is always evolving. There will always be updates to the standards for students to learn, new strategies to help teachers with create an academically challenging environment, new ways to incorporate technology in the classroom, and new assessments to track the progress of student learning. Yes, it will be a challenge for educators to adjust to these changes but we have in the past and will excel with the ever-changing world of education. I have met so many teachers that truly have the heart to teach. Hopefully, in the next 5- 10 years, I hope to be a school leader or principal. I can see myself as a professor teaching Education classes at a college or university. I want to be a change agent in how society views an educator. Teachers care for the well-being of their students. We want to see them do well and be successful not only in our classroom but in their life.

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