Electrifying Speaker, Pedagogy Specialist, Faculty Member
Jordan holds an M.A. in Learning, Design, & Technology from Georgetown University, and a B.A. in Communication from McDaniel College. Hover over the images below to learn about JD's professional background and how he became a trusted voice on teaching and learning.
Jordan's Story
Baltimore, MD served as the backdrop for JD's upbringing, where organized sports, church, and time with family were foundational for his development. Specifically, 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?"
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 at a regional symposium that spring, officially catalyzing his speaking career. That summer, he would take his public speaking skills to the next level, joining Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and becoming a state champion speaker and national finalist in the same year.
JD uncovered an innate ability to inspire others through speech. In his first year at McDaniel College, a small liberal arts college about 40 miles north of Baltimore, he founded JD Speaks LLC. Still a teen, Jordan had established a platform that led to speaking engagements at conferences where he addressed educational challenges faced by instructors and students. 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.
At Georgetown University, Jordan became a thought leader 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 both a student in Georgetown's Learning, Design, & Technology and a Project Coordinator at GU's teaching and learning center. While working in studying in the nation's capital, he gained expertise in how to integrate these principles into course design and pedagogy. He's since 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.
Today, Jordan's signature message for educators prepares them to be equity-minded, wellness-centered, and technology-literate instructors. When working with students, he helps them use design thinking to set and achieve their career goals through creativity, autonomy, and community care.
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