Mario Jordan was born in Panama one of seven children. His family moved to America in 1957. After getting his master’s degree in Graphic Arts from University of Missouri-Kansas City, he went on to teach for many years. He was a family man, mentor, and upstanding citizen and was a beloved photography teacher in Kansas City, Missouri.

He retired from the Kansas City School District in 2004. He would later pick up teaching again after moving to California. Mario taught Graphic Arts for LAUSD for 10 years before retiring for his second and final time as a public school teacher.

Mario passed away on October 1, 2023. He will be missed by family, friends, colleagues, and students from both the United States and Central America.