Indiana Principal Susan Jordan, heroic educator that sacrificed her life to save children from a runaway school bus

There are many examples of heroic educators who have made great sacrifices for the sake of their students. One such educator was Susan Jordan of Indianapolis, Indiana, who gave her life to save her students from a runaway bus.

Susan was born on August 15, 1946, in Evansville, Indiana. In a long career as an educator, she became the principal of Amy Beverland Elementary School in Lawrence Township, a suburb northeast of Indianapolis, Indiana. She served in the post for 22 years. Prior to her assignment at Beverland, she served as the principal of Brook Park Elementary School for four years.

On January 26, 2016, Susan was standing in front of the campus when a school bus that had been parked suddenly jumped the curb. The intrepid educator sprang into action, pushing several young students out of harm’s way. Unfortunately, the bus hit her, and she was killed. She was 69 years old.

“Susan was a legend in the field of education and represented a generation of educators who would do nothing short of giving everything she had for her students as well as her faculty,” remembered friend Jason White. “Susan was an amazing educator,” the Lawrence Township Board of Education posted on its website. “She had a remarkable way of making everyone she came in contact with feel valued and important. She had a passion for children that is unmatched,” the Board’s statement read.

The heroic educator was laid to rest in Fairmont Cemetery in Henderson, Kentucky. She has been recognized at the Memorial to Fallen Educators at the National Teachers Hall of Fame located in Emporia, Kansas.