Dr. Bob Jordan, chief technology officer for the Winn Parish School Board, was the featured speaker at the March 17 meeting of the Kiwanis Club.

A product of the Winn Parish school system, Jordan graduated from Winn Parish High School in 1990. He spoke about changes in today’s school environment — technology concepts such as cloud computing, streaming and tablets that either did not exist or had entirely different meanings when he was a student. Teachers now have technology integrated into their classrooms, and most students carry more computing power than was available to anyone in 1990. Jordan noted the state is working to establish a full computer science curriculum beginning in first grade.

Jordan was a member of the Winn Parish High School marching band, which earned him a scholarship to what was then known as Northeast Louisiana University. There, he said, he discovered the difference between liking something and loving it. He earned a degree in psychology and went to work as an analyst for the food stamp office in Natchitoches.

His wife, a teacher who would later earn her doctorate, was working in Natchitoches at the time. While there, Jordan completed a degree in school guidance counseling and was hired as the guidance counselor at Atlanta School. When his wife joined the faculty at Northwestern State University, Jordan took a position in Northwestern’s testing center, where he evaluated a quality enhancement program focused on experiential, hands-on learning.

Northwestern State was offering a doctorate program in adult education and instruction, which Jordan pursued. His doctoral thesis focused on a mentorship program for students in need of financial aid.

Seeking to put his doctorate to use, Jordan applied for a position with the Winn Parish School Board that aligned with his combination of experience and credentials. In that role, he oversees school information systems — ensuring that all figures reported to the state are accurate, since school funding depends on them. He is also involved with the district’s truancy program.

The Winn Parish school system is rated Tier 2 by the state — neither the lowest nor the highest tier. Jordan noted that attendance has become a statewide problem, particularly in the years since the COVID-19 pandemic, and that the state provides guidance to districts in managing truancy.

The Kiwanis Club thanked Dr. Jordan for an informative and well-received program.