By Roni A.K. Graham
Herald Correspondent
Dr. Jordan Rodriguez has been a figure of support, care and passion during his time in the Seminole County education system. The former principal of Seminole High and current principal of Choices In Learning (CIL) Elementary consistently strives to make major impacts on anyone around, and he doesn’t plan on stopping any time soon.
Rodriguez's journey to the principal position started with substitute teaching and a role as a high school baseball coach. He landed his first official teaching position at Lake Howell High School and then moved to Seminole High as Dean of Students, and later, Assistant Principal. He also served as Assistant Principal at Winter Springs High School before moving up to principal of Rock Lake Middle School. After three years in that role, he was principal for three years at Seminole High School.
The gratitude for Dr. Rodriguez from students, teachers, and support staff is strong, as he makes a family and home out of each school he steps into.
Since joining CIL, he has contributed to the rise of the school ranking. Their position was improved from 58th best elementary school in Florida to 16th in a yearly list released by Niche.com.
A key aspect of Dr.Rodriguez’s philosophy is the ability to make striving for better both fun and attainable. “Let's achieve something we've never done before, and it'll be a point of pride for the school. It'll be a point of pride for the kids and teachers, and the community,” he said eagerly. He also focuses on the deeper potential of the school’s progress. This year, he has the goal of leading the little cheetahs into the top ten ranking of elementary schools in Florida. “We are perennially an A school. It is an expectation. When you're an A for so long, it becomes kind of not a big deal,” he explained. “So, I wanted to challenge us for something more. And what better way to challenge our community than say, ‘hey, we've been at A, But now let's see where we really stand in the state.’”
In a touching article written in 2022 by Seminole High student Isabella Gomez, Dr.Rodriguez’s heart was fully highlighted. She explained that when he was a dean of discipline, he made a significant impact on a staff member's life. He told Mr.DeCosta, an intern at that moment, “By the time you’re my age, I want you to be in this position.” Mr.Decosta ended up exactly there, at the same age and everything.
The little things and small nudges are very important to the principal. “You know, when you're a leader, sometimes you don't realize the impact your words can have,” he expressed. “I have made it a point to recognize the impact words can have. Sometimes you see something in somebody, and they might not hear it. You might be the ignition. Your words might be the catalyst that sets them on a path that changes their life.”
That care didn’t start or stop at Seminole. At CIL, he has made it a priority to develop staff members and put them in positions they didn’t even see themselves in. “You never want to see people who are doing a great job being content,” he said, while explaining a staff member's path to teaching. “She was a paraprofessional and did a fine job. And she had actually asked me when I arrived about being the business office assistant. I said, ‘do you have a degree?’ She goes, ‘yes, I do.’ And I said, ‘why don't you teach? I've seen you with the kids. The kids respect you. They love you.’ I knew what the business assistant paid, and it wasn't that big of a step up from a paraprofessional,” he explained. “So I go, ‘don't shortchange yourself. Let's do this.’ I just love to find out what people are passionate about, and if I know somebody that can help them, I want to help them.”
Dr.Rodriguez’s leadership isn’t just about goals or rankings – it’s about lifting anyone around to see their potential while impacting little ones along the way. As the cheetahs race towards greater achievements, it’s clear that under his guidance, the best is still ahead.
