A Career Path He Never Expected
Dave Dein never imagined he would become an educator. As a self-described D/F student in high school, he struggled to find purpose in traditional academics. After pursuing his passion for driving and earning his CDL, everything changed. Truck driving school gave him something he had never experienced before—a reason to learn. For the first time, he excelled in the classroom and discovered that success often comes when education is connected to purpose.
A Conversation That Changed His Life
Years later, while working as a truck driver, Dave met a nine-year-old boy who told him that his dream was to go to prison because his father was incarcerated. The conversation stayed with him. Soon after, a friend challenged him with a simple idea: “If you want to change the world, become a teacher.” What started as substitute teaching on his days off eventually became a calling.
Seeing Possibility Instead of Problems
As a new teacher, Dave noticed that many students had already been labeled as “problem kids.” He rejected that mindset. Instead, he viewed them as “possibility kids”—students with untapped potential who simply needed someone to believe in them. That philosophy continues to shape his work today and has become a cornerstone of his approach to education.
Building One of the Nation’s First High School CDL Programs
In 2016, Dave helped launch one of the first high school trucking programs in the United States at Patterson High School in California. The program goes far beyond teaching students how to pass a CDL test. Students learn leadership, professionalism, safety, communication skills, health and wellness, personal finance, and industry awareness. Dave believes trucking is not simply a job—it is a profession that requires responsibility, character, and commitment.
Developing Leaders, Not Just Drivers
One of Dave’s favorite sayings is that his class is “more of a leadership empowerment class than a truck driving class.” His goal is to help students understand the opportunities available in transportation while developing the mindset necessary to succeed. Graduates have gone on to earn their CDLs, work for major carriers, become owner-operators, and even launch their own trucking companies.
Expanding Opportunities Through NGT
In 2020, Dave partnered with Lindsey Trent to help launch the Next Generation in Trucking Association. Through curriculum resources, Train the Trainer events, and direct support for educators, NGT is helping schools across North America create pathways into trucking and transportation careers. The goal is simple: provide more students with access to opportunities that can change their lives.
A Calling That Continues to Grow
When asked why he continues this work, Dave’s answer is simple. He believes teaching changes lives. Every student who discovers a career path, gains confidence, or finds purpose is another reminder that education can transform a future. His journey from struggling student to educator and industry advocate serves as a powerful example of what happens when someone is given an opportunity and chooses to pass that opportunity on to others.
Watch the Full Interview
Dave recently joined the Land Line Now podcast to discuss his journey, Patterson High School’s CDL program, and the future of trucking education.
Watch the full interview here:
Land Line Now Interview with Dave Dein
