Maryville, Tenn. — Clayton Homes’ Controller David Jordan attributes his success to a solid educational background – which, interestingly, did not follow a traditional path.

Jordan went straight to the workforce from high school, and he soon realized that he needed additional education to advance in his career. After spending five years working in the railroad business, Jordan took time to complete his undergraduate degree through the Univ. of Tennessee Evening School. A short time later – and older than most of his classmates – he received his Bachelor of Science degree at the age of 30. Nine years later, Jordan graduated from the very first Executive MBA class at the University of Tennessee.

Jordan has worked for Clayton Homes for 26 years; he said he believes the foundation of his professional successes can be attributed to education. 

Regardless of age, background or job interests, Blount Countians who want a lifetime of rising income potential, career control and growth opportunities cannot end their education with high school graduation. In fact, according to the Blount Education Initiative (BEI), a high school diploma is only the beginning.

“In this day and age, a high school diploma is not just a minimum educational requirement; it’s the starting line to a whole lifetime of job-related training and other forms of education to remain competitive,” said Bonny Millard, BEI executive director.

“Research has proven lifelong personal and financial benefits to those with post-high school training or college,” Millard said. “Those who continue throughout life with additional training, certifications and any form of continuing education – even if it’s attending conferences or non-credit classes – can keep a leg-up on the job competition and gain more personal control over their job prospects and economic future. That’s empowering.”

These benefits don’t just help individuals and families achieve good quality of life. The entire community benefits, too.

According to a report entitled “Education Pays—The Benefits of Higher Education for Individuals and Society” by Sandy Baum and Jennifer Ma, students who attend institutions of higher education obtain a wide range of personal, financial and other lifelong benefits. Likewise, taxpayers and society as a whole gain a multitude of direct and indirect benefits when citizens have access to postsecondary education.

“This research also confirms that higher levels of education correspond to lower unemployment and poverty rates,” said Matt Murray, BEI president. “In addition, higher education levels correlate with higher levels of civic participation, including volunteer work, voting and blood donation as well as with greater openness to the opinions of others.”

David Jordan recently answered a few education-related questions from BEI:

What is the value of investing in our children’s educational lives?
“In a broad context, providing a good education to our children is essential to the health and well-being of our society. It is truly an investment in the future. Looking at it from the perspective of a Blount County-based employer, the education level of the local population from which we draw most of our home office team members is an important part of Clayton Homes’ ability to remain competitive.”

Do you believe education has been the foundation of your success?
“I was very appreciative of my educational opportunities. My working background, particularly as a union employee and, later, a collector, underscored to me the value of a good education. There is no question in my mind that my educational experiences are the foundation of any success that I have had in my career.”

Who were the influencers in your life who encouraged you to strive for knowledge? 
“My parents always encouraged my curiosity. There always were books around the house. My mother was a reader and instilled in me a keen interest in current events and history. I can remember vividly watching the Senate Watergate hearings with her in 1973. Being Tennesseans, we were very proud of the role played by our own Howard Baker and his young lawyer from Nashville, Fred Thompson.”

Do you have any favorite teachers, professors or administrators – and why?
“Not only was Miss Margaret Jenkins the band director and English teacher at my high school, she also was the choir director at my church.  Although we belonged to a small church in a small town, we had a great choir because of her. Our group traveled all over the place to perform. Miss Margaret loved all of her choir kids and encouraged our musical talents. She introduced us to classic literature in high school – we read Shakespeare aloud (being a band director, she called Trebonius, from Julius Caesar, Trombonius) – and classical music in band. 

“Anyone who attended Hollow-Rock-Bruceton Central High School from the 1930s until the early 70s was influenced by her. Her area of expertise is not my field, but she encouraged reading, art and music – not to mention more than a little discipline. My life is richer because of these interests that she helped spark.”

Explain your personal view on the importance of education in order to get a good job and ultimately improve one’s quality of life. 
“Clearly, there can be no question as to the correlation of an education to the quality of life.  Most manufacturing jobs today require skills that are acquired through education. Mathematics, computer literacy, reading comprehension, writing and team dynamics are but a few of the skill sets higher-paying employers are looking for today.”

If you could give one piece of advice to children in school now, what would that be?
“Be curious about things and people, and develop the habit of reading.  Books, magazines, newspapers – it doesn’t matter so much what you read as long as you read.”

About Blount Education Initiative
The Blount Education Initiative’s (BEI) mission is to make education the Blount County community’s top priority by developing a sustained public awareness campaign focusing on the critical issues related to education, supporting local schools in their efforts to provide a top-notch education for all students and serving as a bridge between the educational community and businesses to develop meaningful collaborations. 

Achieving consensus about education’s vital importance, and what forms of support are required to achieve educational excellence, requires an organized, concerted campaign involving information exchange, dialogue, learning and persuasion.  That’s why BEI exists – to facilitate this process.