Spotlight: Springfield School District 186 Retirements

There are several big retirements taking place this year in Springfield Public School District 186. With the retirement of Superintendent Jennifer Gill on June 30, 2026, the District is losing a strong leader and someone who put students and families first. She is passing the torch to Dr. Terrance Jordan who has big shoes to fill but is up to the task. Jordan, a former teacher, middle school guidance dean, and principal, who has been in District administration since 2021 states, “he is excited to be leading the District and continuing the great work of Jennifer.”

Gill was an outstanding superintendent during her 12 years in that role and her work will leave a lasting impact here in Springfield, but no one can do it alone. You can’t be effective in such a difficult position, such as a school superintendent, unless you surround yourself with capable, equally effective partners. Gill was fortunate to have that partner in Jason Wind, who is also retiring this year on the same day as Gill. While Wind’s retirement has received less attention than Gill’s, his departure leaves a big hole in the District. As Gill stresses, “When you surround yourself with good people, it makes you better. He made me better.” 

For the past 10 years, Wind has served as the Director of School Support, a position responsible for making sure the 35 schools in District 186 have everything they need for success. Wind’s dedication to the success of the District runs deep. Starting in 1989, he spent four summers on the summer utility crew, doing anything needed to prepare the schools for fall. This included fixing playground equipment, custodial work, waxing floors, and others duties as assigned - a skill that would prove vital throughout his career. As Director of School Support, Wind frequently found himself in meetings with families needing assistance, or community members with concerns, or law enforcement providing support, because along with his other duties Wind was in charge of student discipline and school security, as well as athletics. Wind was very busy. As Gill notes about Wind, “nobody works harder, but he thinks through every issue to make sure he is providing the support needed and listens to other points of view.” As Gill emphasized, Wind “took the brunt of a lot of what was going on in the District on a daily basis and handled it well.” 

It is not surprising that Gill and Wind made such a good team. They share a passion for cultivating a positive learning environment in District 186. They are both products of Springfield public schools and learned from the same influential person. Gill attended Springfield High School graduating in 1987 and Wind attended Lanphier High School graduating in 1989. Gill’s first administrative role in the District was as an administrative intern at Franklin Middle School where Lyle Wind, Jason’s father, was the principal. Gill explains, “Jason’s dad was very influential early in my career and I’m sure he taught me the same things Jason was learning from him. I think that’s why we clicked so well working together.” 

When asked why he initially embarked on a career in education, Jason Wind acknowledges that education runs in his family, his mom was also a teacher, and he recalls that he “wanted to help kids learn, especially math.” Math didn’t come easily to Wind, but he worked at it and had some good teachers. His first job in the classroom was as a math teacher at Southeast High School, a school where he would later serve as an assistant principal and principal. Wind also served as principal at Hazel Dell Elementary for five years. He moved to the District headquarters as the Director of School Support when Rick Sanders retired in 2017. 

Looking back on his entire career in education, Wind stresses the connections made and lifelong friendships, along with the ability to help kids and families as the reasons that kept him coming to work each day. This dedication will be hard to replace. Chris Barham has been named the new Director of School Support upon Wind’s retirement. Barham previously served as a teacher, high school assistant principal, middle school principal, and most recently assistant principal at Springfield Learning Academy. Barham is excited about the opportunity this new role presents, but notes, “Jason is not replaceable. He was a constant presence in District 186 and he meant so much to so many people over the course of his career. I’m very honored to be the one stepping into that role for District 186.”

Thank you to Jennifer Gill, Jason Wind, and the multitude of other educators who work hard every day and dedicate themselves to providing students with a quality education. Our community is a better place because of your efforts.