Jason Van Heukelum

Born in Michigan and raised in Rochester, New York, Dr. Jason Van Heukelum has worked in education for 27 years, including three years as Director of an International School in La Paz, Bolivia. His career spans roles as a math teacher, coach, high school assistant principal, middle school principal, and deputy superintendent—all in North Carolina. He believes great schools combine high expectations with strong community engagement to maximize student potential in a nurturing, caring environment. Dr. Van Heukelum led his first school to become one of the most improved in North Carolina and was named Middle School Principal of the Year for Iredell-Statesville Schools. Under his leadership as Deputy Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction, Cabarrus County Schools earned the #1 teacher effectiveness rating in the Charlotte region and ranked in the top 15 statewide for three consecutive years. Over the past 15 years, he has secured more than $20 million in grants supporting innovative initiatives such as Multi-tiered Systems of Support, International Baccalaureate programs, Spanish and Mandarin immersion, STEM and computer science immersion programs, high school career academies, and new teacher career pathways. Currently, he leads implementation of Winchester Public Schools’ Strategic Plan, ELEVATE 2030, guiding the district to honor Winchester’s pride and tradition while embracing forward-thinking innovation. Dr. Van Heukelum earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Cedarville University, a Master of School Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a Doctor of Education from Vanderbilt University. He resides in Winchester with his wife, Sara, and daughter, Maggie.