Students of the Month

This month I’d like to recognize the Patterson High School Truck Driving Program graduating class. ? Each year I become more amazed at the quality of students who are signing up to take the class and this year is no exception. ? Seeing this group reach the first of many milestones gives me great hope that our industry is going to not only be fine, it is going to thrive. ? One of the greatest feelings is being around young people who have a passion for trucking.? To all of the NGT graduating students, thank you for all that you are about to accomplish and for being a role model to the next generation.? Welcome to the trucking family!

Each year I have students reflect on the school year.? This is the “Why” behind the NGT mission and what fuels our motivation and passion.??

Written by: Dave Dein

How has this class changed your perception of the trucking industry?

My ignorance faded away by taking this class as I realized that trucking is one of the most important jobs out there.? Truckers are the most hardworking and respectable people out there and I'm guilty of not appreciating such people.

This class has changed my perception of trucking and the stereotypes that truckers get. Now I know all truckers are not like the stereotypical things that are said and instead are hard working people with a lot of liability and responsibility they have. It has shifted my perception to see truckers as a much more honorable job.

This class changed my perception of the industry by no longer seeing trucks on the freeway as a nuisance. I used to see them as a roadblock and something that blocks my path, but now I see them as the people keeping our country alive. I have a lot more respect for the sacrifice they give us by driving our products from point A to point B.?

This class has really taught men that trucking is not just a job to do but it's also a mindset and a lifestyle. I learned so many things in this class that not only prepared me to be a professional truck driver but a successful person in my life.?

What did you like best about this class?

The learning was real.? Rather than reading from a textbook, we went out and learned how to do things with our hands, and watched videos and listened to your talks which changed our perspective. The learning style was the best form of education.? Lessons that forever stay in our thoughts.

Thank you for sharing your passion with your students.. I know you could have spent your time driving a truck and enjoying your life, but you took the time to give us an opportunity and provide us something which we never thought we could have. ? I'm really grateful for this program, it gave me ease and was a solution to some of my future problems, who knew I was going to be a truck driver.?

The work that is being done with this program is great, teaching and bringing younger people into the industry that is in much need of drivers.? Spreading the program across the U.S. but teaching them not just to hold the wheel but to be a safe driver.??

I really appreciate the time you put into making this class as informative yet also entertaining, engaging, and fun. Not many teachers I have had can do that which tends to make school drag on. Your class never felt like a drag and I always looked forward to coming in, talking with the others in the class, seeing what was new in the trucking world, and doing the activities you had set up for us. It was truly a pleasure to be in your class!

Thank you for all the work you put into this school year Mr. Dein. I hope to be the first female to graduate from this program and get my CDL. I promise to work hard and make you proud. You have not only taught us but also motivated us to work hard everyday, be happy with what we do, and to find community in our work. THANK YOU!!!