Susan Jordan died knowing she was loved.
The Indiana school principal who was killed while pushing pupils out of the path of a runaway school bus got a touching video thank you from staffers and students just last May.
With Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's version of "Over the Rainbow" playing in the background, the video begins with shots of Amy Beverland Elementary School students holding signs with words to describe the beloved educator: Friendly. Focused. Smart. Organized. Inspirational.
“She always brings a positive spirit to Amy Beverland,” one teacher says in the video that the school district posted on YouTube. “One thing I know makes her a great leader is that she always trusts in her teachers, and she’s always positively supporting us.”
It closes with a heartfelt message to Jordan: “We love you, Mrs. Jordan! Amy Beverland really is the sunshine after the rainbow. Thank you for your many years of leadership!”
Schools across the Indianapolis suburb of Lawrence Township were closed Wednesday in honor of Jordan, who was 69 and principal at that school for 22 years.
"Susan was an amazing educator," the 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."
Indiana State Police detectives were investigating the deadly accident, but the bus did not appear to have any mechanical problems and had been inspected last Friday, according to NBC station WTHR.
This was a "freak accident," Indianapolis Metro Police Sgt. Kendale Adams said after Tuesday's crash.
It was around 2:30 p.m. and Jordan was supervising dismissal when she was killed. She was with a group of students when a bus with a driver and two dozen kids aboard suddenly accelerated and jumped a curb police said.
The quick-thinking principal got most of the kids out of the way, but could not save herself. A pair of 10-years-olds suffered minor injuries from which they are expected to recover, police said.
