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Jordan Short has returned to Armstrong Elementary School decades after attending as a child—this time to oversee a renovation that will benefit his own children and the wider community.

The building still felt familiar when Short reported to the job.

“It’s exactly how I remember it when I went to school here back in the 90s,” he said. “Not much has changed in terms of the whole tone of the building.”

Short attended Armstrong Elementary, Herndon Middle and Herndon High schools. His two older children, Charlie and Parker, now attend Armstrong as a second grader and kindergartner. He also has a third child.

Construction Runs in the Family

Born in Texas, Short moved with his family to the Reston area before kindergarten because of his father’s construction career.

“Construction is in my blood,” Short said. His father spent more than 40 years working for Turner Construction, where Short also worked before Fairfax County Public Schools hired him in 2021.

His children have already developed an interest in building through Legos and Magnatiles. They are also proud that their father is helping renovate their school—and feel a little famous when they spot him there.

“Being able to see that your kids are happy and proud of what you’re doing, that’s a real proud father moment,” Short said.

A Project With Personal Stakes

Short remembers feeling safe and supported at Armstrong. Although the area has changed during the past 30 years, he said the school’s staff and sense of community remain familiar.

Returning as part of the construction team has been rewarding, but Short acknowledged that managing a project affecting his own community also brings added pressure. He wants the renovation to be the best project possible within its specifications.

“It’s something bigger than yourself. It’s bigger than me,” he said, adding that schools strengthen communities as a whole.

Short hopes the renovation will teach his children that major projects require teamwork and hard work. While he joked that he would let them continue thinking their father is a superstar, he credited the crews doing the physical construction.

“The real guys out here doing the work are the guys slinging the hammers,” he said. “It takes a team.”

The renovated school will serve more than its students. Recreational leagues, community programs and other groups will also use the space, making the outcome important to people throughout the area.

Short described the opportunity to give back as something he “couldn’t have even imagined” and called it a full-circle moment.

Armstrong Principal Jim Quinn said Short’s connection to the school left him excited and reassured about the project.

“I knew our school and community were in great hands with Jordan overseeing the project,” Quinn said, praising Short’s care, dedication and support for families and community members.

Bonds Fund Major School Projects

Fairfax County bond referendums fund large construction and renovation projects such as the work at Armstrong. The bonds allow the county to spread project costs over time in a way similar to a home mortgage.

School bond referendums generally appear on the ballot every two years, including one in 2025. Short said they offer an opportunity to show how schools contribute to their communities.

His children did not receive any special influence over the renovation. Short emphasized that Armstrong must follow the same strict county design guidelines as every other school undergoing similar work.

“This place holds dear in my heart, but it’s going to get the same treatment as all other schools under renovation get,” he said.