RODNEY JORDAN
Teacher, Author, and Activist Rodney Jordan is no stranger to education reform or social transformation. After once being the child no teacher wanted in their classrooms, he is now the teacher whom all students want to be in his. Jordan set out on a course of rebellion at an early age. Against the backdrop of a city racked with crime and despair, he found himself in a world of trouble early on. Whether it was repeating the seventh, eighth, and ninth grades, constantly ending up in the principal’s office, or just hanging out with the wrong crowd, the young Rodney Jordan appeared to be on the path of so many he knew—the path to prison. Finally, after numerous disciplinary infractions in school, repeated incorrigibility offenses at home and in the community, he was forced out of his single mother’s residence at the age of twelve.
To the surprise of many, the troubled African American teen went on to graduate from high school but didn’t stop there. After receiving his bachelor’s degree from Norfolk State University in 2008, Rodney Jordan continued his education at George Mason University where he earned a master’s degree in new professional studies in teaching in 2011. As an educator, Jordan has taught math, science, social studies, reading, writing, and engineering irrespectively to second, fourth, fifth, sixth, and eighth graders. He has also published two books, Tired of Being Black and From the Heart of a Teacher. Jordan has also experienced much success as a basketball coach winning two middle school championships and helping lead Osbourn High School (Manassas, VA) to its first state playoff appearance in the school’s history.
Following the 2009-10 and 2010-11 school years, Rodney Jordan was voted The Most Outstanding Second and Third Year Teacher for Manassas City Public Schools (Manassas,VA). He has also been nominated for other teaching awards and recognitions. His effective teaching practices and passion for education as well as social justice have earned him interviews on television and radio broadcasts such as Tom Joyner TV with Sybil Wilkes, Arise News (International), and HOT 97 (New York City). Jordan is constantly working to improve the lives of all people especially children.
Worskshop:
Topic – Black or Blue: The Color is Real
Description: The Black or Blue project aims to close the relationship and cultural gaps between African American males and white police officers. In this workshop, school teacher, author, and activist Rodney Jordan offers a fresh perspective on the negative stereotypes and assumptions that continuously lead to unproductive encounters between the two subgroups. Additionally, Jordan uses hands-on, collaborative exercises to give participants an opportunity to approach controversial situations from the opposing viewpoint.