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.
Kris
Licensed Instructor
Kris has been in the driving instructing industry for over 15 years. Creating safe drivers is his number one concern, teens and adults alike. He makes sure that every student progresses during his lessons in a positive manner.
Doug
Licensed Instructor
Doug has expressed that driving has always been a huge part of his life. He enjoys the challenge that every student brings and different personalities he comes across on a daily basis.With his many years of driving experience, Doug is suited for training both novice and experienced drivers alike and adapts his teaching style to the specific needs of each student he is assigned. Instructing to him is more than a job, it’s a serious commitment made to help safely advance the driving experience of each of his students.
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 Liang
Licensed Instructor
Ryan has had over 20 years experience driving both vehicles and motorcycles. He also has over 5 years experience driving box trucks, flat beds, and trailers. He enjoys passing on his knowledge and experience to students and watching them become safe and confident drivers. He has a passion for vehicles and has extensive knowledge of vehicle maintenance and performance. With safety being his top priority, he is a detail oriented, patient, and kind instructor.
Chris Alvarez
Licensed Instructor
Before becoming a driving instructor, Chris served in the U.S. Army as a medic where he gained considerable teaching and mentoring experience. As such, he enjoys creating a positive atmosphere where students can gain safe driving technique insight and with practice become courteous drivers.
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.
Chris
Licensed Instructor
Chris was born and raised in Southern California and with 30+ year of driving experience that includes motorcycles, trucks, and limousines, he has a lot of knowledge to offer to his students. He also spent time teaching in the public schools of Japan and has earned his private pilot license. Chris recognizes that patience, praise and creating a positive learning environment provides the best results. From the first lesson to the last, his goal is to instill in his students, through repetition and hands on experience, the confidence that will result in a safe and knowledgeable driver.
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.
Steve
Licensed Instructor
Steve is a lifelong teacher. He holds a masters degree in education and has worked with people young and old across many fields as a teacher, a mentor and a coach. When working with students his focus is on safely building confidence and creating conscientious drivers. He takes pride in being a driving instructor and hopes to help many individuals in obtaining their driver’s license.
Kyle
Licensed Instructor
Kyle has been driving for many years and prior to becoming a driving instructor he worked in the mental health field for many years. His goal for each student is to become safe and confident during their lessons with him. Applying the instruction given during his driving lessons and practice at home creates a team effort which aids students to become safe and defensive drivers. Driving is an important life skill for young and old to learn and Kyle prides himself in being a part of the process.
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.
Adali
Licensed Instructor
Adali has over 20 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.
Chris Garcia
Licensed Instructor
Chris has extensive driving experience both professionally and personally. He has worked in the automotive industry for around 10 years and is a certified automotive technician. He has received 3 Associates Degrees and is currently working on his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. He has also worked as a program leader for an after school program and as a parking enforcement officer for the city of Westminster. Chris enjoys working with students to help them become safe and confident drivers while still making his lessons fun and enjoyable.
Jose Ruiz
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.
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