Dr. Sean Van Aacken serves as the Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE) for Real Journey Academies, where he leads comprehensive CTE programming across multiple K–12 campuses, including Entrepreneur High Schools in San Bernardino and Fontana, New Vision Middle School, and elementary CTE initiatives at iEmpire and Journey School. With a strategic vision grounded in workforce development and equity, Dr. Van Aacken has expanded CTE pathways in culinary arts and applied technology, strengthened regional internship opportunities, and established high-impact dual enrollment partnerships with San Bernardino Valley College and Chaffey College.
A passionate advocate for college and career readiness, Dr. Van Aacken oversees curriculum development, industry certification programs, and multi-year grant initiatives, including Perkins, K12 SWP, CTEIG, Golden State Pathways Program (GSPP), as well as others. He also plays a key role in advisory boards, workforce training grants, and CTE-related accreditation processes.
In addition to his network-level leadership, Dr. Van Aacken actively supports CTE implementation through strategic planning, teacher development, and program evaluation. He coordinates Career Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) such as DECA, FCCLA, and SkillsUSA, facilitates WASC accreditation efforts with CTE integration, and represents RJA in regional and statewide conversations on college and career pathways. His efforts extend to aligning CTE instruction with A-G requirements and fostering early college access through articulation, dual enrollment, and CCAP agreements.
Dr. Van Aacken also serves in advisory roles for CTE credentialing and workforce alignment with postsecondary partners, including UCLA Extension and California State University, San Bernardino. He has been interviewed and consulted during accreditation and program reviews to ensure that credentialing programs align with the instructional and compliance needs of K–12 CTE. Additionally, he teaches as an adjunct faculty member in the CTE credentialing programs at both UCLA Extension and Northern State University, contributing to the preparation of future CTE teachers with a focus on curriculum design, program leadership, and instructional equity.
