New Assistant Principal Ready to be a Falcon

The newest addition to the Jordan family is Mrs. Shante Nelson, the new assistant principal. She says that she “couldn’t be more excited to be at Jordan High School this year” and thinks that the best students in the world are right here at Jordan.

Mrs. Nelson is the assistant principal for freshmen with last names A-L. She is in charge of the English, Healthful Living, and Media departments. Her other responsibilities include activities, field trips, fundraising, transportation, and daily announcements.

Photo of Mrs. Shante Nelson

Mrs. Nelson has over ten years of experience in education, with a background as an English Language Arts teacher, Special Education teacher, and basketball coach. Previously, she coached the girls basketball team at Githens Middle School, leading them to the DPS middle school championship in early 2024. Prior to working in Durham Public Schools, she has served in the Onslow County Schools, Houston Independent School District, and Wake County Public Schools. At Jordan, she cannot wait to get to know the community and support students in their goals, no matter if it is in the classroom, on the stage, in clubs, or on the field.

Throughout her career as a classroom teacher, Mrs. Nelson has helped students exceed growth expectations. As a result, she was named Teacher of the Year at Githens Middle School for the 2023-2024 school year. She has held multiple school leadership roles, including School Improvement Team Chair (Githens), Testing Coordinator (JD Clement), and mentor teacher (Burbank), where she has supported teacher development in addition to student development.

Outside of the classroom, Mrs. Nelson is a devoted community advocate. She is the founder and CEO of Blume Academy, a nonprofit that focuses on strengthening reading outcomes for youth. Additionally, she previously started and operated Whole Child Care Center, a childhood education program known for educational greatness and strong family partnerships.

Mrs. Nelson loves watching students step into their strengths and says that she is “here to celebrate your successes and push you to try new things.” She hopes that “this year feels full of growth, school pride, and moments you’ll remember long after graduation.” Mrs. Nelson is full of excitement for a great year, building connections with students, and supporting students in every way possible.