ACTE Announces California Teacher as National Award Finalist

ACTE Announces California Teacher as National Award Finalist 

ALEXANDRIA, VA—Today, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced  Dave Dein, CTE Teacher at Patterson High School in Patterson, CA as the 2025 ACTE Region V Teacher of the Year. This award recognizes the finest career and technical education (CTE) teachers at the middle/secondary school level who have demonstrated innovation in the classroom, commitment to their students and dedication to the improvement of CTE in their institutions and communities.  

Dave Dein began his career in trucking in 1988 to financially support himself through college. After earning a business administration degree from California State University, Stanislaus, he returned to trucking as a driver/manager for a large manufacturing company. 

In 1999, after meeting a young boy who shared that his goal in life was to go to prison, Dein felt compelled to make a difference and became an elementary school teacher. While teaching full time in 2006, he founded a nonprofit ministry organization called Faith Logistics, which provided free truck driving training to individuals exiting the prison system. 

After learning about the Patterson High School Logistics Program in 2016, Dein reached out to the superintendent, and together they created one of the nation’s first high school truck driving programs. In 2020, Dein co-founded the nonprofit organization, the Next Generation in Trucking Association, which provides free support and resources to high schools interested in starting truck driving training programs. 

The Patterson High School program has received national attention, appearing on Fox News, NBC, CNN, News Nation, NPR, and in numerous educational and industry trade publications. Dein has been with Patterson Joint School District for 25 years and holds both multiple and CTE teaching credentials. 

Dein is one of five finalists for the 2025 national title. The national winner will be announced at the ACTE Awards Gala, an award presentation recognizing the best CTE educators in the country. The event will take place on December 4, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. The Awards Gala is sponsored by Express Employment Professionals, Goodheart-Willcox, The Army, and Stratasys. For more information about the ACTE Excellence Awards, visit our webpage.  

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About ACTE
The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the nation’s largest not-for-profit association committed to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. ACTE represents the community of CTE professionals, including educators, administrators, researchers, school counselors, guidance and career development professionals and others at all levels of education. ACTE is committed to excellence in providing advocacy, public awareness and access to resources, professional development and leadership opportunities.