Position on Boa
rd: Trustee, Program Committee
Counties represented: Shelby
Carey Jordan grew up in Center, Texas, graduated from Center High School, and attended Stephen F. Austin State University, where she earned her education degrees and certifications.
With 35 years of public education experience, Carey began her career teaching general education for three years before moving into special education. She earned a master’s degree in special education with a diagnostician certification and served as an educational diagnostician for 23 years. She later earned her principal certification and is now in her ninth year as Director of Special Services for Center Independent School District.
Throughout her career, Carey has focused on helping children and families access the services they need. One area she particularly enjoys is working with families as their children transition from Burke’s Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) program into public school services at age three.
How did you first get involved with Burke?
My involvement with Burke began in 1995, when I became an educational diagnostician. At the time, I worked with young children transitioning from early intervention services into the public school system. That brought me into regular contact with Burke staff, and I’ve maintained those relationships for many years.
My father, John Howard, served on the Burke Board of Trustees for 22 years. I was interested in becoming more involved with Burke, and we talked about his board service and the work he was doing. When he stepped down, I had the opportunity to follow in his footsteps and represent Shelby County.
I’m especially glad to serve on the Program Committee because I feel that’s where my experience can be most helpful. One of my goals is to help more Shelby County families learn about and access Burke’s services.
What was your first impression of Burke?
When I first began working with Burke, I was impressed by the services available to children and families. It was a learning experience for me as I worked alongside Burke staff and other community agencies to help families access the support they needed.
Over the years, I’ve developed a greater appreciation for the range of services Burke provides. Even after working with the organization for so long, I’m still learning about programs and resources that can benefit our students and their families.
What do you wish other people knew about Burke?
I wish more families in Shelby County understood the services Burke offers, especially for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
One area I’m particularly passionate about is helping families prepare for the transition from high school into adult life. Many families aren’t aware of the services available, the guardianship process, or the importance of getting on waiting lists for long-term support services early.
We’ve invited Burke staff to speak with our families about these topics, and the information has been very helpful. Some families have even started the process of accessing services.
I want to continue building those connections and helping families understand their options. Sometimes the paperwork and application process can feel overwhelming, and having someone guide them through it can make a real difference.
What do you think will change about Burke (or the MH/IDD service realm) over the next five years?
I’d like to see services become more accessible to families in rural communities like Shelby County. Having more opportunities for families to meet with Burke staff locally, complete paperwork, and begin the intake process would help remove some of the barriers they face.
I’d also like to see more funding for IDD services and shorter waiting lists. Families sometimes wait many years for certain services, which is why it’s so important to begin planning early.
My goal is to strengthen the connection between Burke, our schools, and the families we serve. By sharing information earlier and making services easier to access, we can help families better prepare for their children’s future.
How would someone describe you?
People would probably describe me as a workaholic, but I hope they would also say I’m a supportive, service-minded leader. I believe in leading by example and would never ask my staff to do something I’m not willing to do myself. Whether that means stepping into a classroom or helping wherever I’m needed, I’m always willing to pitch in.
What do you do when you aren’t volunteering?
Outside of work, I enjoy traveling with my husband, spending time with family and friends, and working on projects around our home. When we travel, we especially enjoy beach destinations, exploring new places, and finding local restaurants.
Family is very important to me. We especially enjoy spending time with our adult children and sharing their lives. I am also fortunate to have my parents nearby, which makes it easy to spend time together.
I’m looking forward to learning more about Burke through my board service and finding new ways to support the children and families in our community.
