ACTE Announces Georgia Teacher as National Award Finalist 

ACTE Announces Georgia Teacher as National Award Finalist 

ALEXANDRIA, VA—Today, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced Jason Van Nus, Teacher and Director of Work-Based Learning and Youth Apprenticeship Programs at Lowndes County School as the 2025 ACTE Region II Teacher of the Year. This award recognizes the finest career and technical education (CTE) teachers at the middle/secondary school level who have demonstrated innovation in the classroom, commitment to their students and dedication to the improvement of CTE in their institutions and communities.  

Jason Van Nus is the Director of Work-Based Learning (WBL) and Youth Apprenticeship (YA) Programs for Lowndes County Schools in Valdosta, Georgia. With over 20 years of experience in Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE), Jason has become an expert in various instructional areas, including Business Education, Graphic Communication, and Work-Based Learning. His journey into education began as a way to stay connected to sports, but it soon evolved into a deep commitment to his students and their success. 

Jason credits much of his growth to the mentorship of Mr. Robert Jones and Dr. Steven Hankla, who encouraged him to view teaching not just as a job, but as a vocation. With their guidance, Jason has become a data-driven, innovative educator who creates impactful programs that prioritize student success. Under his leadership, the WBL/YA program at Lowndes County Schools has grown by over 535%, with student enrollment increasing from 51 to 273. The program has generated more than $5.36 million in student wages and has made an economic impact exceeding $24.18 million in the community.  

Jason’s efforts have been recognized at both the local and state levels. He has been selected for the ‘Leadership Lowndes’ program and the prestigious ‘LEAD CTAE’ leadership program for Georgia Career Educators. In addition, he was named Coordinator of the Year for the Southwest Region and Georgia’s ACTE Teacher of the Year in 2023. Jason also serves on the Advisory Board for the CTE Research Network 2.0, established by the Institute of Educational Sciences (IES) and the American Institutes for Research (AIR). He was named YouScience’s 2024 Innovative Educator of the Year. 

His innovative approaches have drawn national attention, leading to invitations to present his best practices across the country. Despite his many accolades, Jason remains focused on helping students gain new opportunities and career prospects through his WBL programs. 

Jason holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Valdosta State University, a Specialist Degree from Auburn University, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Career and Technical Education with a focus on Workforce Development and the impact of Work-Based Learning. 

Van Nus is one of five finalists for the 2025 national title. The national winner will be announced at the ACTE Awards Gala, an award presentation recognizing the best CTE educators in the country. The event will take place on December 4, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. The Awards Gala is sponsored by Express Employment Professionals, Goodheart-Willcox, The Army, and Stratasys. For more information about the ACTE Excellence Awards, visit our webpage.  

###  

About ACTE
The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the nation’s largest not-for-profit association committed to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. ACTE represents the community of CTE professionals, including educators, administrators, researchers, school counselors, guidance and career development professionals and others at all levels of education. ACTE is committed to excellence in providing advocacy, public awareness and access to resources, professional development and leadership opportunities.