Written by Paul Fraumeni  

Jordan Diana wants to be a teacher.

All teachers have different motivations for undertaking the role. Jordan, who was diagnosed with autism at age three, is quite clear about what’s driving her.

“I want to give hope to children. I want them to know that no matter what their abilities are, they can do anything they desire,” says Jordan, who’s 18. “It’s upsetting to know that many kids with disabilities can do a lot, but they are held back and not given opportunities. I’m interested in teaching kids in the primary grades because they are still figuring things out. If I can make a positive impact when they are at those young ages, I think that will make a huge difference to them.”

She’ll be putting these ideals into place, beginning this fall when she starts at Nipissing University in North Bay, Ontario. Jordan will be in the concurrent education program, pursuing bachelor of arts degrees in sociology and education at the same time.

In fact, she’s already got a head start on teaching—she’s been working at it for years. 

Jordan got her first spark of inspiration for teaching when she was in grade school at Bright Horizons Montessori in Orillia. “She found that she loved working with the younger children,” notes Jordan’s mom, Heidi Blutstein. “She would take time to read stories and help them at group assemblies. The teachers recognized how wonderful she was with the children.”

Later, when she was in high school, Jordan continued developing her teaching talents as a volunteer at an Orillia synagogue, where she was a teacher’s helper for children aged four to six.

In addition to teaching Jordan also got hooked early by music, a passion and practice she has carried on through her years at Orillia Secondary School. She played saxophone in the concert, ensemble and jazz bands and was section leader for the sax players. And when she’s not playing band music, she’s into 1980s to 2010 pop music.

Like anyone, she has some challenges to deal with. In addition to what she experiences because of autism, Jordan was recently diagnosed with anxiety disorder and ocular motor dysfunction. OMD is a condition that affects a person’s ability to control the movement of their eyes.

But this condition isn’t slowing Jordan down. She doesn’t back down from challenges. She adapts, she learns, she improves. She also values hard work—she’s had part-time jobs at a fruit stand and at Baysville Marina, where she did everything from pumping gas to scooping ice cream.

“Jordan is one of the most exceptional students I have had the privilege to work with over my 15-year teaching career,” says Thomas Quint, a grade 11/12 special education resource teacher at Orillia Secondary. “Not only does Jordan excel in her academic studies, she also has a true love of learning. It is rare to find a student with the drive and determination to succeed that she possesses.”

Jordan is deeply thankful to her parents, Heidi and Chris, and her twin brothers, Evan and Ryan, as well as the teachers who “never gave up on me. They hold a special place in my heart.”

Now, she’s looking forward to digging into her work at Nipissing, living in residence and hanging out with new people she’ll meet.

And she encourages others with disabilities to have hope.

“Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Feel free to unlearn what TV or social media tell you. Don’t give up. You are able to have a future.”

Meet our 2024 EKO Scholars

Read about Audrey Godbout
Read about August Hummelbrunner
Read about CJ Barry
Read about Josephine Noue
Read about Keira Gayowsky
Read about Kim Mantha
Read about Logan Pickells