Ted Dintersmith

I think that's been very destructive to the way our nation moves ahead, and I think, quite frankly, incredibly destructive to the Democratic Party, because that Democratic Party has been for years, of course you need a college degree to be a first-class citizen, and of course, if it doesn't work out, taxpayers should cover the cost.

And I'm not against college.

I'm just in favor of exposing kids during those precious free years of high school to gain experience across a range of career areas, to understand what it means to learn things that are tied to real-world impact, and to make better choices as 18-year-olds.

Well, first, I love calling it innovation.

You know, vocational has such a stigma.

I think it's important for all kids.

And I think because that's where the learning gets real.

Now, in my case, you know...

It's a personal thing for me.

So I grew up, my dad dropped out of high school to fight in World War II, discharged with a nervous breakdown, never went back to high school, kept us afloat as a carpenter.

Was always kind of looked down on.

It's like, you know, no high school degree, no college degree.

But, you know, like you still go back to that neighborhood.

He did all the work for the local church convent.

He built family rooms and porches for... He was a great citizen, hardworking dad.

you know, doing an honorable profession.

When I was in high school back then, we still had to take shop.

Here's what saved me.

Like, had my shop grade counted, my class rate would have just dropped through the floor.

I did not get any of those jeans from my dad.