As an instructor and a board member for his state association, Jordan Short is doing his part to advance the industry.

When spotted a 1967 Chevy II SS Nova for sale as a high school freshman, he saw more than just a car — he saw a challenge. A hot rodder at heart, Short had grown up in his grandfather’s mechanic shop in small-town Oklahoma, turning wrenches and working on engines. But this Chevy would require something he had never learned: body work and paint.

“I could do just about everything mechanically, but nobody in the family knew paint and body,” Short said. “I wanted to do the Nova justice, so I signed up for the local tech school’s auto body program.” He didn’t learn about the program until his senior year.

He almost didn’t make it in. The class was full. But fate and a few student drops opened a spot, and Short got the call that changed his career trajectory.

Today, Short teaches in that very same collision repair program, pouring into a new generation of students just like himself. The Nova still isn’t finished, but the journey it launched has been nothing short of transformative.

“Being able to give back has been the most rewarding part of my career,” said Short, who just completed his third year as an instructor. “I get to see students progress and hone their skills, and I also work with apprentices already in the field. Watching someone master something they once struggled with – there’s nothing like it.”

Short is also active outside the classroom. He serves on the board of the Oklahoma Auto Body Association (OKABA), where he’s seen firsthand the power of a united industry voice. “It’s incredible to see the impact a few like-minded people can have when they’re aligned on a mission,” he said.

Jordan Short today.

Before returning to teach, Short spent years in the field honing his craft. He recalls a formative moment during his early days as a painter at a local shop, when an ornery shop owner’s dad tried to critique a custom job on a ’55 Chevy that rolled in for an estimate.

“He said something about the car finally having a ‘real paint job,’ not knowing I had painted it in college,” Short said with a laugh. “I told him I was the one who did it, back before I worked in a ‘real shop.’ He stomped off.”

The car went on to win a Best Paint trophy. The owners asked Short to pose for a photo next to it, a moment he’s treasured ever since. “That photo’s been with me my whole career,” he said. “It’s on my toolbox and now hangs in my office.”

For students just starting out, Short’s advice is straightforward: find a mentor and keep showing up.

“You don’t master this trade right out of school,” he said. “It takes time. You’ve got to earn your place. But if you have the right mindset and stick it out, this is one of the most rewarding jobs out there.”

He also emphasizes efficiency: “Plan your day so something’s always moving forward. Don’t just stand around waiting for filler or paint to dry. If you hit a roadblock, clean your stall, organize your tools, keep progressing.”

Short has always embraced new tools and techniques — whether it’s glue pull repair, UV-cured products or whatever’s next on the horizon.

“I’m a total tool junkie,” he admitted. “Staying current keeps this industry exciting. Things are always changing, and that makes it fun.”

While teaching and industry leadership keep him busy, Short hasn’t let go of his original dream: finishing the Nova. After years of collecting parts, he recently completed the engine and plans to test-fire it this summer. “The dream has evolved,” he said, “but I think I finally got it right.”

One thing Short wishes more people understood: the complexity of collision repair.

“This isn’t just slapping on filler and spraying paint,” he said. “Lives depend on the quality of our work. Cars are incredibly complex now, and it takes real skill to restore them properly. This is a highly skilled trade.”

With his passion for teaching, eye for innovation and deep respect for the craft, Jordan Short is helping to ensure the next generation of techs is not only skilled, but inspired.

And that Nova? It’s more than a dream project. It’s a reminder of where it all began, and just how far he’s come.