Jason Callahan

Assistant Secretary of Student Pathways and Opportunities

Indiana Department of Education

Happiness is the pursuit of doing something important even when it’s difficult.

About Jason

I knew that getting an education was important but I was hesitant to incur debt when I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do.
I found that joining the military could lead to getting my education paid for, so I decided to enlist in the Air Force.
After four years in the Air Force, I pursued my education—I started at a community college in Washington and then transferred to Ball State University, where I got my degree in English Education.
After graduating, I became an English teacher at Daleville Junior-Senior High School.
A mentor encouraged me to go to graduate school, so I went back to Ball State University and earned my master’s degree in educational leadership.
When my wife and I started our family, I wanted a better work-life balance, so I left the classroom and took a job in administration as an assistant principal.
Quickly thereafter, I moved up to principal and then superintendent, which I did for about 10 years.
When Dr. Katie Jenner became Indiana Secretary of Education, she tapped me to serve as the assistant secretary, where I’m currently working to improve the education system in Indiana.