Head of the Class

Jamie Jordan Leads by Example

The heart may race and the palms may sweat at the mere memory of walking down the hall to the principal’s office.

But Jamie Jordan loves it.

That is because she is the principal, heading the staff at Clinton Elementary School in Clinton, Tennessee.

Taking on this leadership role in the Clinton system would not have been possible without the Otho Brown Memorial Scholarship at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

“I couldn’t have gotten the position,” Jordan says. “And I never could have gone back to school as soon as I did.”

The scholarship was funded by Clinton real estate agent Cathy Brown (pictured above on right) in honor of her father, Otho Brown.

Jordan completed her education specialist degree at UT Knoxville in May 2007, received her licensure, and accepted her position as principal in July. The direct—and speedy—progression from advanced degree to new job underscored for her the value of Cathy Brown’s generosity.
Jordan took part in the Leadership 21 program as part of her educational administration studies in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences. The program teaches best practices from the field and from research. Classes are structured around real school problems.

That is an approach that works, Jordan says. She says her classes were practical and taught her ways of handling situations she now encounters every day.

“UT does a good job of preparing you for things like special education requirements and legal aspects of the job,” she says. “The classes at UT are totally applicable to the real world. For example, Dr. Faye Patterson, who was an absolute inspiration to me, would give us case scenarios to discuss and we’d work out solutions. Another instructor would simulate notes from parents or teachers and challenge us to come up with the best response.”

Jordan has nothing but praise for Leadership 21.

“It was top-notch,” the Campbell County native says. “I feel fully prepared and had a fantastic experience.”

Jordan also holds a bachelor’s in psychology (’98) and a master’s in elementary education (’99) from UT Knoxville. She taught fifth grade at North Clinton Elementary for eight years before stepping into her new job.

With her education and attitude, Jordan is in a position to influence education in Clinton in a positive way for years to come. “I enjoy being principal. I think of the role like I think of the role of a mother. I’m building a positive environment where students want to come to school and learn. Above all else, I want my students to enjoy learning. Being a principal is a dream come true.”