About Me: Mr. Van Nus
Mr. Jason Van Nus, Ed.S - jasonvannus@lowndes.k12.ga.us
Director for Work-Based Learning (WBL) & Youth Apprenticeship (YA) Programs
Lowndes County Schools
Lowndes County Schools
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 18 years of experience teaching Career, Technical, and Agriculture Education (CTAE) in Georgia, Jason is a content expert in multiple instructional areas of CTAE. Still, he remains teachable and is committed to being a life-long learner. His experience teaching Business Education, Business and Computer Science, Graphic Communication, and Work-Based Learning makes Jason very diverse in CTAE. Jason is a sought-after presenter in the field of Work-Based Learning, where he utilizes his content expertise in conjunction with his passion for technology and his skillset as an excellent recruiter, a diligent networker, and a tireless promoter for CTAE in Georgia. Jason has spent the past four years coordinating the WBL/YA programs for Lowndes County Schools. Under Jason's leadership, the WBL/YA program enrollment has grown 288%, from 51 students to 198. In a county with a population of 117,406, Lowndes County's WBL/YA program has generated over $3,659,943 million in wages earned over the first four school years under Jason's direction--with a conservative total for economic impact of over $15,025,000 million during those same school years. Jason's Youth Apprenticeship program and creative industry partnerships have garnered national attention and recruitment to present his best practices in Iowa, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Utah, Virginia, and New York.
Jason was selected to participate in an elite leadership program for Georgia Career Educators, LEAD CTAE, in 2019. That same year, Jason was also recognized as Coordinator of the Year for the Southwest Region and separately recognized as the overall 'TopGun' of the 2020 TopGun Cohort for Georgia's top Work-Based Learning Coordinators. In 2020, Jason began service of both the Georgia State Work-Based Learning Executive Board, and separately on the National ACTE Policy Committee for the Work-Based Learning Division
Academically, Jason has a Bachelor's degree from Valdosta State University in Business Education and a Master's Degree from Valdosta State University in Adult and Career Education. He possesses a Specialist Degree from Auburn University in Business and Marketing Education. Jason is currently writing the dissertation for his Ph.D. in Career and Technical Education at Auburn University. His primary research interest is the impact of Work-Based Learning on Career, Technical, and Agriculture Education, Workforce Development, and Economic Development.
Why I am Passionate Work-Based Learning
Work-Based Learning and Youth Apprenticeship (WBL/YA) programs are paramount to the development of the future workforce. I am passionate about WBL/YA because it provides students with a headstart in their industry, both through the development of basic employability skills and the valuable experience of honing and maturating their specific skill set through guided mentorship. WBL/YA offers education/training through experience and exposure. Many students are not aware of how much money they can make in the skilled trades, or even worse, what opportunities in the skilled-trades exist in their own community! Currently there are more opportunities in the skilled-trades because the supply of qualified workers is so restricted. Also, the cost of acquiring education/certification is substantially less in the skilled trades, which leads young adults down a career path that avoids 'student debt'--further cementing their security and success.
Let me explain...
The skilled trades have, at best, been deferred and, at worst, been ignored in preference for Academia and the allure of the 4-year degree. The reality is that a 4-year degree is no longer a tool of differentiation--failing to separate one from the rest of the applicant pool; accomplishing this often requires one or more advanced degrees. As a result, we have seen the emergence of a term called 'Under Employment'--meaning, that after individuals graduate with a 4-year degree they are having trouble finding employment and ultimately return to a trade/vocational school and enter the workforce using these skills, not their degree! Our hyperfocus on academia is somewhat understandable...every parent wants their child's future to be safe, secure, and constructed for success. It is my assertion though that the safety, security, and success of one's future is not mutually inclusive with Academia; but now must be weighed with all the benefits that come through employment and a career in the skilled trades. For all these reasons, I am passionate about Work-Based Learning and Youth Apprenticeship programs.
My Background
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My Experience in Education
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My Experience in Presenting
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My Traditional Resume'
My Graphic Resume'
Professional Resume - 4_15_2020.pdf