Biographical Information
BRIEF BIO:
Riney Jordan is a former teacher, principal, school public relations director, and assistant to the superintendent… all over a 30-year period in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD, a suburban school district near Dallas/Fort Worth. His school district honored him by naming him their “Teacher of the Year.” Both Grapevine and Hamilton have honored him as their “Citizen of the Year.” The Texas School Board Association and Texas School administrators honored him as the “2000 Texas Key Communicator of the Year,” and the Texas Legislature recognized his work by passing a resolution honoring him as an exemplary Texan.
Jordan is an international speaker who presents regularly to businesses, schools, medical groups and civic organizations. His stories are filled with humor, yet are often touching and heartwarming. He has currently presented over one-thousand keynote speeches and workshops across the country.
In addition to his regular monthly feature in the prestigious Texas School Business magazine, Jordan has been published in numerous journals and newspapers. His first book, All the Difference, is now in its tenth printing, plus The Second Book, is now available. Most recently, he has published The Graduate's Advice Book. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Howard Payne University and a master’s degree from the University of North Texas.
Riney and his wife Karen now live in the historic little town of Clifton, Texas, and are the proud parents of three children, thirteen grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and one of the cutest Yorkies ever ... Biscuit!
Riney Jordan is a former teacher, principal, school public relations director, and assistant to the superintendent… all over a 30-year period in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD, a suburban school district near Dallas/Fort Worth. His school district honored him by naming him their “Teacher of the Year.” Both Grapevine and Hamilton have honored him as their “Citizen of the Year.” The Texas School Board Association and Texas School administrators honored him as the “2000 Texas Key Communicator of the Year,” and the Texas Legislature recognized his work by passing a resolution honoring him as an exemplary Texan.
Jordan is an international speaker who presents regularly to businesses, schools, medical groups and civic organizations. His stories are filled with humor, yet are often touching and heartwarming. He has currently presented over one-thousand keynote speeches and workshops across the country.
In addition to his regular monthly feature in the prestigious Texas School Business magazine, Jordan has been published in numerous journals and newspapers. His first book, All the Difference, is now in its tenth printing, plus The Second Book, is now available. Most recently, he has published The Graduate's Advice Book. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Howard Payne University and a master’s degree from the University of North Texas.
Riney and his wife Karen now live in the historic little town of Clifton, Texas, and are the proud parents of three children, thirteen grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and one of the cutest Yorkies ever ... Biscuit!
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
RINEY LEE JORDAN
2706 Oak Ridge, Clifton, TX 76634; 254-216-0511 or 254-216-0545
Website: www.rineyjordan.com
ACADEMIC PREPARATION
1974 University of North Texas, Denton, TexasMasters Degree, Public School Administration
1968 Howard Payne University, Brownwood, Texas Bachelors Degree, Elementary Education
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Motivational Speaker and Author, 1997 – present
Music Worship Leader, Calvary Baptist Church, 2008 - 2015
Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District, Elementary Principal, 1995 - 1997
Assistant to the Superintendent, 1994 - 1995
Director of Communications, 1981 - 1994
Principal, 1974 - 1981
Teacher, 1967 – 1974
OTHER EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCES
Paragon Cable, Television Production Division, Grapevine
Served as anchor for weekly televised local newscast
Produced and hosted “Showbiz for Kids” on local cable
Served as host for “Academic Quiz League,” a quiz show for kids telecast
on numerous cable franchises
KEAN Radio Corporation, Brownwood, Texas
Broadcaster, 1960 - 67
HONORS
Presented prestigious "TSPRA President's Award," TSPRA Conference, Feb., 2019
Honored as an Inaugural Inductee into Grapevine-Colleyville ISD's "2018 Walk of Honor"
Named Honorary Rotary Paul Harris Fellow, April 2017
Selected Hamilton’s “Citizen of the Year,” 2006
Named Hamilton’s Volunteer of the Year by Chamber of Commerce, April 2005
Named “Key Communicator of the Year” at Texas Assn.School Board Conf., September 2000
Received “Professional Achievement Award” from Texas School Public Relations Assn., 1999
Permanent “Riney Jordan Benevolence Fund” established in GCISD by Excellence Foundation
Received first “Excellence in Education Award” from Grapevine-Colleyville ISD, 1996
Selected by National School Public Relations Association as one of 18 speakers nationwide
Named "Exemplary Texan" by Texas House of Representatives; Resolution passed March, 1993
Received Honorary Life Membership in National Congress of Parents and Teachers, 1992
Named recipient of the first annual "GCISD Distinguished Employee Service Award", 1991
Received University of North Texas "Eagle Award" by Administrators Council, 1991
Named "Most Valuable Member," Texas School Public Relations Association, 1989
Selected Grapevine "Citizen of the Year," 1982
Received Honorary Life Membership in Texas Congress of Parents and Teachers, 1980
Selected as Grapevine-Colleyville ISD "Teacher of the Year," 1969
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS/OFFICES
Texas School Public Relations Association, State President, 1991 - 92
National School Public Relations Association, National Advisory Committee, 1989 - 91
BOOKS
The Second Book, published 2008
All the Difference, second edition published August 2001
All the Difference, published January 2000
ARTICLES AND PUBLICATIONS
Monthly columnist for prestigious Texas School Business magazine, 2003 - Present
“Looking Back...One Father’s Story,” Distinctive Lifestyles Magazine, May/June, 1996
“My Dream...about education." Instructional Leader, April 1992
"The Parent: A Child's Most Important Teacher." A parent's guide to involvement, 1990.
PRESENTATIONS/PROGRAMS
A sampling of the hundreds of presentations made to education, business, church and civic groups:
"I'm Here to H-E-L-P" Presenter, Texas Assn. of School Boards and Administrators, Houston
Keynote speaker district-wide staff development, Norfolk, VA, April 2000
“Seven Steps to Happiness as a Teacher", Alhambra Schools, Phoenix, AZ, August 1999
Keynote speaker, Oklahoma State School Board Conference, 1999
Kansas School Public Relations Association Conference, October 1999
NovaNET National Teacher Conference, Tucson, AZ, 1998
"The Top 10 Ways to Be the Best Board Member Ever,” TASB/TASA, Dallas, TX, 1993
"We're here for Kids." Keynote speaker, Texas Elementary Principals Convention, 1991
"Academic Quiz League." Host of 30-minute television quiz show for students, 1988 – 91
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS/ACTIVITIES
Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors, 1997-1999
Hamilton Economic Development, Board of Directors, 1996 - 1999
Baylor Medical Center of Grapevine, Board of Directors, 1985 - 1994
First National Bank of Grapevine, Board of Development, 1990 - 1994
Memorial Baptist Church, Chairman, Personnel Committee, 1991 - 1993
Sigler Excellence Foundation, Board of Directors, 1992 - present
Northeast Tarrant Arts Council, Board of Governors, 1990 - 92
Grapevine/Southlake Rotary Club, President, 1988 - 89
Grapevine Convention and Visitors Bureau, President, Board of Directors, 1984 - 88
Grapevine Camber of Commerce, Board of Directors, 1983 - 84
American Cancer Society, Crusade Chairman, 1982 - 83;
Boomtowner's Ball MC, 1986-1994
Grapevine Christmas Parade of Choirs, Kids & Candles, Founder & Chairman, 1982 - 94