Jordan Leihser stepped into his new role as principal and athletic director in Jasper County this year, and he brought with him not only a passion for education but a deep understanding of leadership forged on the soccer field. A Greenville native and 2017 graduate of Greenville High School, Leihser played four years of college soccer at Blackburn College, where he also earned his degree in education.

Soccer shaped his outlook on life and work. “Being a player for so long, and then coaching, I realized how much impact leaders can have,” he says. “I wanted to be that person for kids.” At Altamont, where he began teaching seventh and eighth-grade reading while coaching high school soccer, Leihser discovered that guiding students and athletes gave him a sense of purpose that surpassed anything else he had considered.

Though he once pursued biology with the idea of entering the medical field, it didn’t feel right. Education did. He compressed his coursework into two and a half years to graduate on time with his peers, then launched into teaching and coaching. After just one year in the classroom, he completed a master’s degree at Eastern Illinois University, further cementing his commitment to leadership roles in schools.

Now at Jasper County, Leihser wears multiple hats—principal, athletic director, mentor, and problem solver. His daily routine may start with a checklist of tasks, but he quickly learned that no plan survives contact with the unexpected. “I might have ten things I’d like to get done in a day,” he says. “And then something comes through the door that changes everything. I had to learn to be okay with not touching one thing on that list.”

That adaptability serves him well, especially in athletics, where responsibilities stretch from scheduling officials to monitoring weather safety with devices like the “wet bulb,” which measures heat and humidity to protect student athletes. “You don’t think about all the little details until you’re the one making the calls,” he says. “It might look simple, but one decision can turn into eight different phone calls.”

For Leihser, leadership is less about control and more about balance. He sees his role as a three-legged stool—supporting students, staff, and parents simultaneously. “There are times when those needs conflict,” he admits. “But if I have to choose, I’m always going to lean toward what’s best for kids. Without students, we wouldn’t even have a school.”

That clarity anchors him as he navigates the surprises of each day. It also reflects his broader vision of education as a way of helping people—something he once thought he’d do in medicine but now achieves in classrooms and athletic programs. “I knew I wanted to help people,” he says. “I just had to find the right way for me. And this is it.”

Leihser’s transition into the Jasper County community has been eased by the warmth and support of his colleagues. “Everyone has been so welcoming,” he says. “It makes a big difference when you’re stepping into a big role.” He credits mentors like Principal Beth Probst and Superintendent Joe Sornberger for their leadership and guidance. “Beth is phenomenal, and Joe’s been awesome to work with. This district is lucky to have them.”

Though he admits he still misses the soccer field at times, Leihser knows he’s exactly where he belongs. “I wouldn’t trade this for the world,” he says. “Every day is a new challenge, but it’s also a new opportunity to make a difference.”

For Jasper County, his arrival marks more than a change in leadership—it’s the addition of a principal and AD who leads by example, grounded in humility, driven by purpose, and committed to doing right by kids.