Shaun Jordan

ONAWAY — After a couple years of unease on the Onaway Area Community School District Board of Education, the dust is settling with the hiring of a new superintendent.

Onaway Superintendent Shaun Jordan’s career in education began at Oakland University, where she majored in biology with the intent of entering the medical field. During her second year, she started substituting as a paraprofessional and found a deep connection with working with students, she said in an email.

“I changed the direction of my biology major and instead of going into medicine, chose education,” she said. “Actually, I believe it chose me.”

She earned her degree in biology with minors in chemistry and English. She then received her masters in special education. Jordan spent 19 years in the classroom, building a foundation of instructional practice, student engagement, and family connection. She took on various leadership opportunities over time, which helped her develop a passion for the administrative side of education.

Jordan obtained her Ed Specialist to pursue roles in administration. She served as a principal, a curriculum director, and then as a director of student services.

“These roles gave me a broader perspective on how leadership impacts not just buildings, but entire communities,” she said.

When it comes to the challenges that a small, rural school like Onaway faces, Jordan said she is prepared to take them on.

“Small, rural schools like Onaway face some very real challenges: funding limitations, staffing shortages, fewer resources, and often a need to be all things to all people,” Jordan said in an email. “But with those challenges also comes something really special — a close-knit community, strong relationships, and a chance to make a meaningful difference every single day.”

Jordan said she feels prepared because she knows how important it is to be flexible, creative, and student-focused. She is committed to listening and learning as she steps into the role of superintendent.

“Rural schools are the heart of their towns, and it’s an honor to help strengthen that heartbeat,” she said in an email. “My ultimate goal is to create a learning environment where every student feels seen, supported, and challenged — and where success is measured by more than just a test score.”

“Of course, I want to see academic growth and improved outcomes across the board, but I also want to focus on things like student engagement, social-emotional well-being, and preparing students for whatever path they choose after graduation,” Jordan said in an email.

After Onaway’s bond proposal failed to pass in May, the anticipation for the next one is something that Jordan will need to handle. She said in an email that any future bond proposal will be accompanied by transparent communication, community involvement, and a clear demonstration of how proposed projects will benefit students.

Jordan said she also wants to build a culture of mutual respect and collaboration to make Onaway a positive environment for both students and staff. To create that environment, staff need to be equipped with the right tools and a good support system. Students should feel safe as they walk through the door everyday, and they should be challenged in a meaningful way.

“Ultimately, I want to build a system where families want to stay, students are excited to come to school, and staff feel proud and supported in their work,” Jordan said in an email.

Reagan Voetberg can be reached at 989-358-5683 or rvoetberg@TheAlpenaNews.com.