Electrifying Speaker, Pedagogy Specialist, Faculty Member

Baltimore, MD served as the backdrop for JD's upbringing, where organized sports, the Black church, and time with family where foundational for his development. However, it was his time at Randallstown High School that set Jordan on a path toward a career in educational development

 

"Why do students who love to learn hate school?"

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This was the title of JD's senior research project in high school, inspired by his growing frustrations with the US education system and the support of Dr. Joquetta Johnson, his mentor and instructor for the course. JD presented his research findings that same year at a regional symposium, officially catalyzing his speaking career. He quickly developed an uncanny ability to inspire others through speech. He continued to share this message with educators and students as he thrived at McDaniel College, a small liberal arts college about 45 minutes north of Baltimore.

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After becoming a state champion speaker and national finalist through Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) in 2017, Jordan founded JD Speaks LLC. Still a teen, Jordan had established a platform that lead to speaking engagements at conferences where he addressed and learned from educators and students about how to reimagine the classroom. He soon developed expertise around career navigation, college readiness, intercultural dialogue, storytelling, and teaching, a combination that makes him dynamic and relatable to many audiences.

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It was at Georgetown University where Jordan began to develop thought leadership around inclusive teaching practices. He was inspired by trauma-informed teaching, accessibility pedagogy, and community organizing principles, all of which he gathered from his time as a student in Georgetown's Learning, Design, & Technology. Through this program, he gained expertise in how to integrate these principles into course design and pedagogy. He's conducted dozens of 1-on-1 teaching consultations and workshops, and has worked with K-12 and higher ed faculty from all over the world.

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Today, Jordan's signature message focuses on supporting high school and college faculty's implementation of inclusive teaching practices, such as trauma-informed and culturally-responsive pedagogy. He also assists students at these levels with integrating design thinking into their academic and career navigation processes, a framework that promotes student creativity, autonomy, and community care as they navigate their learning experiences. 

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Jordan holds an M.A. in Learning, Design & Technology from Georgetown University, where he still facilitates professional development for Georgetown's teaching professors. He earned a B.A. in Communication from McDaniel College. ​​