CAEAA Member Spotlight: Dana Carter

Dana Carter, Principal of Yucaipa Adult School, has been serving in adult education since 2017 and is now entering his ninth year in the field. He leads with a clear sense of purpose: supporting his team so they can make a difference in the lives of every student. Dana works closely with staff to ensure they have the tools and resources needed to help learners gain the skills, confidence, and knowledge that open doors to employment, career advancement, or higher education.
When Dana first arrived at Yucaipa Adult School, the site offered no career technical education programs. Recognizing the need for workforce pathways, he built strong relationships with city leaders, local businesses, and CRY-ROP to launch an Introduction to Construction course. That initiative has since evolved into a direct pipeline to the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Apprenticeship Program — giving students the opportunity to earn wages while gaining practical skills in a respected trade. For many, it has been a life-changing first step into stable, long-term employment.
Dana finds deep fulfillment in seeing the immediate impact of adult education. “In K–12, I knew I was making a difference,” he says, “but with adults, you often see that difference right away.” Whether it’s spotting alumni at work in the community or hearing how new skills have transformed someone’s future, those moments reinforce his team’s mission. Most recently, Dana has been leading the development of a new Adults with Disabilities Program, featuring fully equipped classrooms, a kitchen, laundry area, and sensory room designed to help students learn essential work and life skills on-site. Through weekly collaboration with staff, he is ensuring that every learner can build the independence and abilities needed to thrive in the community.
His advice to new administrators is simple and powerful: “Always prioritize people over paperwork.” And in case you didn’t know — Dana once appeared on ABC News as an angel during his church’s “Drive-Through the Christmas Story” event, offering a fun glimpse into his life outside of work.

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