His was hired for his first public school teaching job in 1955 at Harris Junior High School in San Antonio ISD. He then became a teacher, coach and then Vice Principal at Northside High School (now Marshall High School). In 1964, Jordan became the first Principal of Holmes High School, and in 1967 he came to central office as Deputy Superintendent.
During his tenure as Superintendent from 1982 to 1993, NISD grew from 34,000 to 55,000 students. Jordan provided facilities to handle the phenomenal growth while keeping academic standards high and taxes low.
A man of extraordinary vision, he initiated programs such as AIM to provide well-trained administrators who would be needed during Northside's rapid growth. To meet the needs of a diverse student population, he established programs such as Business Careers and Health Careers high schools, Academic Decathlon, Reading Recovery, and ACE. Jordan pioneered the use of propane to fuel school buses to cut student transportation costs. He also authored the UIL two-division system in 5A, doubling the chance for student participation in championship level competition statewide.
Believing in teamwork as a lifetime skill, he teamed up often with parents and community members to improve the quality of life for young people. PTA Council awarded him two life memberships and endowed the Jack C. Jordan PTA Scholarship Fund.
Because of his innovations in education, the Texas Association of School Boards recognized Jordan as on of the top five superintendents in Texas in 1989 and 1991.
Jordan retired in 1993, but remained committed to the Northside community as an active member of the Northside School Museum Association.