Instructors
All of the instructors at Varsity Driving Academy are DMV Certified. They go through a 60 hour course, live scan finger printing, and a rigorous background check through the Department of Justice in Washington D.C. Mark McKinney makes sure that every individual performs in an exemplary manner. We believe instructing new and previous drivers should always be done with great patience in a positive and safe environment for our driving school.
Isaac
Licensed Instructor
Isaac has been driving for over 20 years and enjoys teaching individuals how to drive because it reminds him of coaching athletes. He takes his training seriously and is very involved with his students’ progress. While he instructs he makes certain each and every student is learning in a safe manner.
Daisy
Licensed Instructor
Prior to becoming a driving Instructor Daisy served 5 years in the Army. She is currently in the reserves and a college student. Daisy describes herself as patient, approachable, informative and responsible. She believes in giving constructive feedback to all her students which is essential when behind the wheel. Over 8 years of driving experience she makes it a point to build her students confidence safely one step at a time.
Michelle
Licensed Instructor
Michelle has been driving for over 10 years. She has experience in social services as a youth mentor and working with teens her entire career. As a role model and teacher for many years prior to becoming an instructor she is very conscientious of the impact she makes on her pupils for the remainder of their life. Safety is her main concern while she is with a student. She enjoys seeing her students gain confidence and control of driving situations throughout their lessons with her.
Arturo
Licensed Instructor
Arturo has been driving for over 10 years. He has past experience driving all throughout Orange County. His lessons are conducted in an attentive, calm, & patient manner. Arturo takes pride in teaching his students how to safely and properly drive, while acknowledging each students’ weaknesses and helping work through each one of them.
Ryan
Licensed Instructor
Ryan has over 30 years behind the wheel experience. He has a professional, courteous and patient demeanor. He believes most student drivers will develop in a short period habits and skills that will last a lifetime and taking part in that responsibility is rewarding Whether it’s your first time behind the wheel or third lesson the goal is confidence, safety and control.
Ricardo
Licensed Instructor
Ricardo is a California Certified Licensed Driving Instructor as well as a Certified School Bus Driver for NMUSD. A combined 11 years of commercial experience, hard work and dedication make him an excellent driver & instructor. Ricardo participates annually in a School Bus Skills competition where he represented his District and won first place in Orange County and third place in the Southern Region last year (2017). This advanced training develops understanding on the importance of continues driver practice and education. It also strengthens Ricardo’s empathy of tackling new challenges, such as a new student learning to drive. Ricardo is bilingual (Spanish & English). Ricardo enjoys Chess, photography, riding his bicycle, walking and road trips.
Jose
Licensed Instructor
Jose has been driving northern and southern Orange County roads for over 20 years. Using his experience on the roads and as an instructor at another driving school Jose is ready to teach. He sees his students achievements as his own and works hard to make sure his students excel and stay safe on the road. By answering questions, applying personal experiences, and remaining patient throughout each session Jose produces great results.
Pete
Licensed Instructor
Pete is a native Californian who has been instructing for over 4 decades. His passion for driving and motor-sports have enabled him to train and help drivers at many levels. He feels new drivers benefit from patient, encouraging and knowledgeable instruction to begin building safe and proper habits from the very start! A lifelong pleasure of driving is a skill to be developed and enjoyed. Modern vehicles require safe drivers with the skills to handle today’s roads and highways. Good habits begin from the very first lesson.
Dave
Licensed Instructor
Dave Saint Simon has been driving for over 25 years. Being a good driver was always important to his family and taught him to be responsible and respect the safety of the roads. He has been a trainer for 6 years in 3 different states. His motto is “proper practice prevents poor performance”. He loves to help educate and demonstrate to students the safest and less intimidating approach of driving! He has obtained and held a commercial and motorcycle driver’s license for over 5 years. He was raised by his father who was a driving instructor for over 50 years and it has greatly influenced him in his journey now and the love he has for teaching all students at Varsity.
Joshua
Licensed Instructor
Joshua has been driving for over 10 years and has experience working with teens and kids of all ages. He is passionate about being safe while teaching the best techniques in order to create a lifetime of good driving habits. Joshua enjoys seeing students grow through out their lessons and being part of such an important milestone.
George
Licensed Instructor
George has been in the driving instructing industry for over 20 years. He has previously held a commercial driver’s license with a passenger endorsement. His demeanor and expertise makes him a wonderful instructor. He enjoys teaching his students and creating safe drivers on the California roads.
Jeff
Licensed Instructor
Jeff has been driving over 40 years and is native to Orange County . He looks forward to working with new and current drivers. During his lessons having fun while becoming a safe and confident driver is a goal that Jeff sets for all his students. Applying the instruction given during his driving lessons in addition to practice time between teens and parents helps creates a team effort which aids students to become safe defensive drivers.
Kam
Licensed Instructor
Kam has been driving for 35 years and has been training for 15 years. He approaches driving instruction with a positive and patient attitude – eager to help his students succeed. He see’s driving as a privilege that comes with huge responsibility and he enjoys seeing his students’ progress.
Jasper
Licensed Instructor
Jasper believes that each student has their own strengths and weaknesses. He assess each student and creates an effective lesson plan according to the skill level of the driver. He makes the effort to create a calm and positive environment allows the student to become a safe and alert driver. He finds teaching others the essential attributes of a good driver is very rewarding.
Jared
Licensed Instructor
Jared has been driving for over 10 years. He takes pride in teaching students the important life skill of driving. He believes patients, confidence building, and constructive criticism are integral first steps when learning how to drive. Jared strives to ensure that each student develops safe driving habits that will last a lifetime.
Khoa
Licensed Instructor
Khoa has over 10 year driving experience. His goal is to help as many students as possible become a safe and excellent driver. He is super approachable, easy to talk to and enjoys meeting new students. He understands that different students have different personalities and there are different methods of teaching depending on the student.
Chris Felix
Licensed Instructor
Cautious and patient, Chris has been driving for over 10 years. He taught a defensive driving class for 3 years in both Spanish and English, in which he teaches anxious drivers to remain calm and collected on the road. With his expertise with exerting confidence behind the wheel, Chris makes sure that his students are always one step ahead. He also stays aware of his students’ progress so that he can expertly guide them to becoming the best driver that they can be.
Craig
Licensed Instructor
Craig has been a driver for over 40 years. While he has worked closely with teenagers in the recent past, he enjoys communicating and interacting with people from all age groups and backgrounds. His motto is “patience produces progress,” and this is the philosophy he brings to our team of instructors. Craig believes Orange County is a great place to learn how to drive and is impressed with Varsity Driving Academy’s commitment to produce quality drivers.
Katya
Licensed Instructor
Katya has experience behind the wheel for over 25 years. She is bilingual, bicultural, very patient, friendly, and full of positive energy. With more than 10 years of experience as a teacher, Katya does her best to make sure all students receive the most memorable and educated experience. Katya is very approachable and her objective is to always be able to communicate the importance of safety behind the wheel.
Alex
Licensed Instructor
Alex is a very patient, kind, and knowledgeable instructor. She has a passion for driving and says there is nothing better than to teach what she loves. She has numerous years of experience in the driving industry giving her a deep understanding that safety is the key of being a great driver.
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