Meet Our Instructors

Ivan G.

Passionate about cars, the outdoors, and living life to the fullest, I bring energy and curiosity to everything I do. With a strong background in automotive operations, production, and team leadership, I’ve built a career on hard work, problem-solving, and connecting with people. I’m constantly learning, improving, and pushing myself to grow—both professionally and personally. I value time with family, good food, and meaningful conversations, and I’m always up for meeting new people and exploring new ideas. Whether I’m under the hood, out in nature, or working with a team, I strive to bring purpose, passion, and positivity into every experience.

Estela F.

I am a Colorado native who has lived in Metro Denver my entire life. I’m married with one daughter and we love doing typical Colorado things. I love Mexican food – especially homemade tamales. For the most part I’m usually at home playing with the dogs and relaxing with the family.

Oscar A.

Hello, my name is Oscar. I was a restaurant manager before becoming a driving instructor. In my free time, I really enjoy writing and listening to music.

Mickey M.

I am Mickey, I am originally from Georgia, but moved with my husband to Colorado in 1993. We owned a restaurant in Longmont for 30 years. I love my family and friends — we get together often for fun and to enjoy good food. Spending time outdoors, hiking, biking, and just sitting in my own backyard helps me find peace in this busy world. My dog Ham keeps me laughing and happy! I would be honored to help you learn the laws of the road so you can be a confident and calm driver.

Elyssa C.

Hello! I am a Colorado native with a 23-year background in nursing, now bringing my passion for safety, education, and service to driver instruction. As a mom of three and lifelong learner, I’m patient, dependable, and committed to helping others build confidence behind the wheel. I enjoy teaching, traveling, gardening, and collecting antiques in my spare time.

Darrin S.

Hi, my name is Darrin, and I have lived in Colorado Springs since 2014. I’ve been married for over 30 years and am the father of four children. I have lived in many different cities in the U.S., as well as for seven years in France. Most of my life I have been involved in some aspect of teaching including teaching high school. I enjoy playing and watching many different sports as well as spending time in the outdoors. I love driving and have a passion for helping others.

Dora G.

Hi, my name is Dora. I am fluent in English and Spanish and enjoy working with people of all ages. I love spending time with my family and am happy to be part of the American Driving Academy. I look forward to assisting you throughout this process.

Vanessa S.

My name is Vanessa. I was born in Illinois but have called Colorado home for over 25 years. I’m Bilingual. I have 3 children. I love spending time with them, reading and walking our dog. I have over 10 years of experience in customer service. I enjoy helping people.

Mi nombre es Vanessa. Nací en el estado de Illinois pero e vivido en Colorado por más de 25 años. Soy bilingüe. Tengo 3 hijos. Me encanta pasar tiempo con mis ellos, leer y caminar a mi perrita. Tengo más de 10 años de experiencia en servicio al cliente. Me gusta ayudar a la gente.

Carmen A.

Hi, my name is Carmen.  I’m originally from Mexico but came to Colorado as a child. I love helping people better themselves and that includes driving.

Hola, me llamo Carmen. Soy originaria de Mexico pero estoy en Colorado desde niña. Me encanta ayudar a las personas a superarse y eso incluye enseñarles a manejar.

Griselda

Hello my name is Griselda, I have 7 years of automotive experience. I love cars and what they have to offer in the interior or exterior. When I get the chance I work on my own cars and my family’s as well. I have 3 kids who lighten my day everyday and hopefully when they get older I can teach them to become safe drivers and love there own cars as well.

Cristina O.

Hello everyone! My name is Cristina. I was born in El Paso, TX, but I have lived in Colorado for over 20 yrs. I have five children and love spending time with them watching sports, especially MMA and NFL football. I am fluent in English and Spanish.

¡Hola a todos! Mi nombre es Cristina.  Nací en El Paso TX pero he vivido en Colorado por más de 20 años.  Tengo 5 hijos y amo pasar tiempo con ellos viendo deportes, en especial MMA (Artes Marciales Mixtas) y fútbol americano de la NFL.  Hablo inglés y español con fluidez.

Aly H.

Hello! My name is Aly, and I taught at an elementary school for four years before I started teaching here. I’ve worked from places as simple as a gas station to as complex as a plastics factory. I have four dogs at home, and we spend our free time reading books, watching movies, and playing video games. I would love to be your teacher and teach you how to be an extraordinary driver!

Michael D.

Hello Everyone! My name is Michael but feel free to call me Mike. I’ve lived in Colorado all of my life except for my time in the U.S. Army. I’m a Social Worker at heart and I earned my Master’s degree in Social Work from Metro State University in Denver. I worked with homeless Veterans and Section 8 participants which was both rewarding and challenging. I’m equally as passionate about teaching/instructing and first became aware of this desire after working as a snowboard instructor at Ski Cooper in Leadville, CO. In my free time I love to walk my dog Maggie, bicycle long distances, read, watch movies, camp and spend time outdoors. I’m also a huge foodie and would love recommendations on great places to eat!

Above all, I want you to feel comfortable and confident behind the wheel and think of driving as a pleasurable experience!

Elliot C.

Hello my name is Elliot, I am originally from California but moved here to Colorado Springs in 2022. Outside of work I mostly spend time with my family but I also enjoy camping, video games, and playing soccer. I started driving at a very young age and know how to drive all types of vehicles including motorcycles. Driving can be fun just as long as you are safe and responsible. I look forward to meeting you and working with you on your journey to becoming a responsible driver.

Hola, mi nombre es Elliot, soy originalmente de California pero me mudé aquí a Colorado Springs en 2022. Fuera del trabajo, paso más tiempo con mi familia, pero también disfruto hacer carne asada, jugar video juegos y jugar fútbol. Empecé a conducir desde muy joven y sé conducir todo tipo de vehículos incluyendo motocicletas. Conducir puedeser divertido siempre que seas seguro y responsable. Espero conocerte y trabajar con usted en su viaje para convertirse en un conductor responsable..

Tim R.

Hi there, I’m Tim! While I lived out the early chapters of my life on the upper east coast, the military brat lifestyle ultimately brought me here to Colorado, which grew on me instantly. I am a colossal animal lover who enjoys a wide variety of activities including hiking, running, traveling, theater, sporting events, and gaming. When I’m not teaching, you can find me dabbling in the realms of filmmaking, radio, and voiceover work.

Dan W.

Hello, my name is Dan Warren. I love and believe in Jesus Christ and love my wife, Dalaine, of 47 years this July. I’ve been a professional driver for 39 years and am a Veteran (Air Force). I enjoy music very much and play several instruments, as well as sing. I like to hike, rock climb, and go kayaking.

Valarie H.

My name is Valarie. I am originally from Minnesota, but have lived in Colorado for many years and love it. I love to write and ride my bicycle. I attended American Driving Academy when I was a teen and have fond memories of the classes and instructors, so I am overjoyed to be part of the team now. Learning to drive gave me a real sense of freedom as a teen; I look forward to passing that on.

Tracy

Greetings! My name is Tracy. I am a Colorado Native, born in Pueblo, raised in the Springs, educated at Cheyenne Mountain and the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. I’ve been married to my beautiful wife for 15 years, and together we care for adults with special needs in our home. We also manage a Special Olympics Sports Club, fielding several teams (Softball, Flag-football, Basketball, and Volleyball) – GO 719ers!

It is my privilege to be associated with such an amazing team at American Driving Academy, where I’ve been a behind the wheel instructor since June 2021. I also enjoy teaching our in-class education program. It is an honor to be able to support our community by helping to develop safe, informed, and courteous drivers.

Remember the Big Three: Distance, Speed, and Communication! Keep plenty of Space between you and others; Slow Down; and use your Blinkers!!!

Thess W.

My name is Thess, and I have been in driver’s education for three years now. My greatest strength is a strong ability to stay calm around new driver errors, keep learners on particular roadways which lead to challenge but not overwhelm, and build confidence in the throes of driving anxiety! Nothing is more rewarding than a student driver who finally says: “hey, this isn’t so bad.”

I’m a Colorado native, I teach yoga, I write music and I’ve lived abroad. There’s a lot I can handle! So, get in Brenda, buckle up and stay street-smart.

Savana T.

Hi, I’m Savana! I graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with a B.S. in Business Administration, specializing in both Finance and Accounting. My passion for teaching began through my experiences in outdoor and physical education, where I discovered the joy of helping others build confidence and skills. I bring that same energy and patience to driver education. I believe that with the right guidance, practice, and a calm environment, anyone can become a safe and capable driver. See you out there!

Ron D.

My name is Ron D  I taught for thirty years at Pueblo Community College and CSU-Pueblo.  I am now retired and am Professor Emeritus of Automotive Industry Management at CSU-Pueblo.

Cars are my hobby, and have been for as long as I can remember. I enjoy working on antique and classic cars as well as driving and working on race cars.

I have always liked teaching.  It is fun, especially when the subject matter is something that I like: cars and driving are two things I really like.

I am a believer in the notion that if you want to do something, you should do it well. And to do it well, you need to learn about it and practice a lot doing it properly.  To do otherwise is just being a “wannabe”.

Robert M.

Hi, my name is Robert and I have been employed by American Driving Academy since the spring of 2013. During this time I have thoroughly enjoyed being a member of an amazing team of dedicated driving instructors.

I am a retired veteran and all those years I spent in the U.S. military allowed me to gain extensive instructor/ training experience. I put this training to good use as I teach Colorado’s new “future” drivers – taking these students who know nothing to very little about driving and successfully developing them into safe productive drivers.

I am married and have four adult children and three grandchildren.

Safety has always been a major concern for me, so I emphasize not only to my own personal family, but to all my students and those of you reading this right now, to remember to do the following:

Don’t drink and drive, don’t text and drive just safely drive and stay alive and always look over your shoulder before changing lanes! Check six!

Rick P.

My name is Rick Parker.  I was born in Michigan and raised in Texas.  I have been married for 26 years and have two children, and two grandchildren.

I like to go camping, fishing and hunting and just being in the outdoors.  I was an ice hockey coach of teenagers for many years so becoming a driving instructor was a natural move for me.  I enjoy being an instructor at American Driving Academy so that I can pass along my skills and help my students feel comfortable and safe while behind the wheel.

Rhonda S.

Hello I’m Rhonda Segovia. I enjoy driving, cooking, eating and growing a garden.

I was in banking for over 29 years.

I have two sons both living in Denver metro area and I have 2 granddaughters and 2 grandsons.

Reynaldo R.

Hello, my name is Reynaldo Rodriguez. I am a former forklift, and delivery driver. I have been living in Colorado Springs with my wife for the past nine years. I like to draw and paint in my free time. I am looking forward to serving you with your driver’s training needs and getting you ready for your driver’s license.

Randall P.

Hello everyone! My name is Randall, and I’ve lived in Colorado since 1996. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, where I once drove Limousines for the rich and famous (choose me as your instructor and I’ll tell you stories!) My father was the driver’s education and training instructor for my high school. Being raised by a driving teacher gave me a great sense of safety, purpose, and professionalism when it comes to being a safe motorist. I am entirely confident that I can provide you with the tools and precepts of defensive driving needed to become an excellent driver!

Paula C.

Hello, my name is Paula. I am a driving instructor with American Driving Academy. My 20 combined years of work experience as a former driver license employee and in law enforcement has given me the skills and knowledge required to help my students become competent informed drivers.

I have been married for 31 years and have 4 amazing boys. I love spending time with my family and I enjoy camping, fishing and hunting. I am proud to be from Colorado. Our state has such incredible beauty and the mountains are truly impressive.

Honestly, I enjoyed teaching our boys to drive and I have a lot of patience. I am a firm believer that practice makes perfect, so I encourage the students to continually practice so they can sharpen their driving abilities which, in turn, will make them not only safe, but great drivers.

Choosing American Driving Academy gives students a great start to become proficient drivers and obtain the abilities needed to be successful behind the wheel.

Nina T.

Hello, my name is Nina. I lived in Colorado most of my life. I enjoy being outside and spending time with my dog. I have worked with teenagers for many years and have been a driving instructor for a few years.

Nancy

Hi! I’m Nancy, a friendly and approachable person who loves helping others. I’m fluent in both English and Spanish. I believe that with a little patience and encouragement, anyone can become a confident driver! I enjoy going exercising and spending time with family and friends.

Hola! Soy Nancy, una persona amigable y accesible a la que le encanta ayudar a los demás. Hablo inglés y español con fluidez. ¡Creo que con un poco de paciencia y ánimo, cualquiera puede convertirse en un conductor seguro! Disfruto hacer ejercicio y pasar tiempo con familiares y amigos.

Michelle M.

My name is Michelle. I am a retired teacher and school counselor. I have one grown daughter and a multitude of fur babies. I love doing outdoor activities and playing competitive volleyball. Teaching student drivers has proven to be a very enjoyable and rewarding job that I look forward to doing every day.

Martha L.

Hello! My name is Martha. I was born and raised in Mexico, but I have called Colorado home for the past 25 years. Spanish is my first language, and I am also fluent in English. With a background in teaching and management, I genuinely believe my calling is to serve my community. As an immigrant, I am passionate about helping others gain confidence and become active members of society. In my spare time, I enjoy listening to music, dancing, and spending time with my family and two dogs.

I would be happy to assist you in navigating this process and getting you on the road!

¡Hola! Mi nombre es Marta. Nací y crecí en México, pero he llamado a Colorado mi hogar durante los últimos 25 años. El español es mi primer idioma y también hablo inglés con fluidez. Con experiencia en enseñanza y administración, realmente creo que mi vocación es servir a mi comunidad. Como inmigrante, me apasiona ayudar a otros a ganar confianza y convertirse en miembros activos de la sociedad. En mi tiempo libre, me gusta escuchar música, bailar y pasar tiempo con mi familia y mis dos perros.

¡Sería un placer poder ayudarla a navegar este proceso y ponerlo en el camino a conducir!

Marissa Z.

Hi, My name is Marissa – I am a Colorado Native, born and raised here in Aurora, Colorado. Like all natives, I enjoy hiking the beautiful Rocky Mountains and spending time outdoors.

My professional background is in the Financial Industry at a local
Credit Union, holding positions in Branch Operations, Learning and Development, and Application Development. Giving back to the community fills my cup so I volunteer at Food Bank of the Rockies and Project C.U.R.E every chance I get.

Lastly, I have two dogs that are my entire world. Other hobbies include kickboxing, reading, gardening, travel, and I am an iced coffee addict.

I look forward to meeting and working with you!

Maria V.

My name is Maria. I am fluent in Spanish and English. I was born in Mexico City but have been in Colorado since I was 3 years old. I was raised in Edgewater but I currently live in downtown Denver with my dog Nyla and my cat Blue. For 8 years I worked in the legal field as a legal assistant but needed a break from the office world. I became a driving instructor and quickly realized this is what I’m meant to do. I’m passionate about what I do and love dedicating my time to teaching people how to drive.

Mi nombre es Maria. Hablo español e inglés. Nací en la Ciudad de México pero vivo en Colorado desde que tenía 3 años. Me crié en Edgewater, pero ahora vivo en el centro de Denver con mi perrita Nyla y mi gato Blue. Durante 8 años trabajé en oficinas de abogados como asistente legal pero necesitaba un descanso del mundo de la oficina. Me convertí en instructor de manejo y rápidamente me di cuenta de que esto es lo que estoy destinado a hacer. Me apasiona lo que hago y me encanta dedicar mi tiempo a enseñar a la gente a conducir.

Marcos

Hi. I’m Marcos; I’m from Denver. I love traveling, gaming, learning new languages, and hanging out with my family. My family is from Mexico, and I’ve had the opportunity to live there, which has given me a deeper appreciation for different cultures. I’m fluent in English and Spanish and speak intermediate Portuguese.

Hola, soy Marcos. Soy de Denver y me encanta viajar, jugar videojuegos, aprender nuevos idiomas y pasar tiempo con mi familia. Mi familia es de México y he tenido la oportunidad de vivir allí, lo que me ha dado una mayor apreciación por las diferentes culturas. Hablo con fluidez inglés y español, y también tengo un nivel intermedio de portugués.

Lee E.

Hello, I’m Lee and I am excited to embark on this journey with you towards becoming a capable and confident driver. I have driven everything from race cars to big rigs, and I have even done some instructing along the way. I have found that the best way to learn and enjoy your time behind the wheel is building from a positive learning experience that fosters understanding, rather than anxiety. The world can be a stressful place. To learn to drive in a calm and proactive manner is the Zen of driving!

Beyond the road, I find joy in friends, animals, and the great outdoors. My greatest fulfillment comes from seeing my students evolve from hesitant beginners to confident drivers ready to tackle that last step to becoming a fully licensed driver. Let’s embark on this journey together where learning meets laughter and empowerment paves the way to success on the road.

Kevin H.

Hi, my name is Kevin and I am a Colorado native. I attended the University of Colorado Boulder where I earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration. I found a love for teaching while I was a learning assistant for the university, where I taught statistics to large groups of students. I have found that teaching others to drive gives me a sense of purpose because of the large part driving plays in our lives. Driving unlocks so many freedoms, but can also be the cause of great tragedy. I feel the work I do is intrinsically motivating as I help others unlock these freedoms while becoming safer and more confident behind the wheel.

I also enjoy the outdoors, playing sports, and eating Taco Bell. I try to always see the glass as half full and hope to be able to look back on my life having few regrets.

Keith M.

Hi my name is Keith. I am the senior instructor and license examiner for Colorado Springs and Pueblo. I have been working here at American Driving Academy for about 14 years. I am retired from the U.S. Army after serving 22 years in the Transportation field. I have been married for 48 years. I like to watch and play sports, someday I would like to go Salmon fishing in Alaska with my son and grandson.

Jessica

Hello! My name is Jessica and I am one of the instructors here at American Driving Academy. I am a native of Colorado. I was born in Denver and raised in Aurora. I moved to Colorado Springs during college and completed several degrees and certifications. I have lived in Colorado Springs for over 25 years. I have a son who just graduated from high school and is pursuing his lifelong dream of becoming an entrepreneur. I am an educator, former Lyft driver and realtor. I love helping people achieve their goals through guidance and support. I know earning your driver’s license is a major life goal and I love that I can be a part of that achievement for those working towards it. I would love to work with you as you learn how to drive safely with consistent awareness of the roads and laws. Driving with confidence is key and I’ll help you get there! Welcome to American Driving Academy. I look forward to working with you.

Jesse C.

My name is Jesse and I am originally from Wisconsin but have lived in Colorado for about 32 years. I have been married for 31 years and we have 4 grown boys.

I am a veteran and I am currently retired. I find that being a driving instructor is a rewarding experience. I enjoy helping students learn proper driving techniques as well as sharpen their driving skills.

I am happy to be a part of the American Driving Academy team knowing I have an important role in educating students to be successful and safe drivers.

Jean M.

Hello. I’m Jean, your fun behind-the-wheel instructor and classroom teacher. I’ve been teaching Driver’s Ed for 5 years, four of which were in the Denver area. I literally wanted to drive since I was five years old!

My background is as a classical musician, music teacher in the public schools, and as a librarian in Denver. Everywhere I have worked, I always sought out the opportunities to train others.

I have some great hobbies – gardening, reading, knitting, e-biking, fly fishing, camping and being outside enjoying what Colorado has to offer.

My pride and joy is my daughter, and my dogs. My passion is education, and American Driving Academy is a wonderful place to learn.

James V.

Hello, my name is James. I am a 48 year resident of Colorado Springs. I am a driving instructor for the American Driving Academy. I am proud to be part of an amazing team!

My interests include song writing and music production. What I enjoy most is spending time with my family. I have experience in the transportation field as a para-transit bus driver and also hold a certificate of completion in professional truck driving.

The training and experience I have received on the road are invaluable. What I enjoy most as an instructor is the opportunity to instruct students how to create good habits and skills that will last a lifetime behind the wheel.

Remember to always drive safely!

Idania J.

Hello everyone, my name is Idania. I’m a Colorado native and a proud graduate of the University of Colorado Denver, where I earned my Bachelor of Science in Biology. I have aspirations of attending optometry school to further my education and career. I also am fluent in English as well as Spanish.

In my free time, I enjoy working out, exploring new restaurants, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Hola a todos, mi nombre es Idania. Soy originaria de Colorado y orgullosa graduada de la Universidad de Colorado Denver, donde obtuve mi licenciatura en Ciencias Biológicas. Aspiro a asistir a una escuela de optometría para continuar mi educación y desarrollar mi carrera. Tambien soy fluida en inglés y español.

En mi tiempo libre, disfruto hacer ejercicio, explorar nuevos restaurantes y pasar tiempo de calidad con mi familia y amigos.

Ilse G.

Hi! My name is Ilse. I was born in Texas! I’m fluent in Spanish and English. In my free time, I walk with my German Shepherd, Noah. I am a foodie! I like trying new restaurants. I’m also currently in business school.

Hola, Mi nombre es Ilse y soy originaria de Texas, En mi tiempo libre me gusta sacar a mi perro Noa a caminar, también disfruto descubrir nuevos restaurantes, así mismo soy fluida en español y me encantaría ayudarte a adquirir tu licencia de conducir de Colorado!

Gerri M.

Hello, my name is Gerri. I am a Colorado native. I enjoy playing golf, hiking, working in my yard, watching football, and traveling. I look forward to helping you become a safer and more confident driver.

Gary L.

Hi my name is Gary. I enjoy being outdoors, biking, sports, fitness and travel. I enjoy working with people of all ages, especially young people so we can get their driving experience off to a safe and correct start.

Gabe B.

Hi, my name is Gabe. I have been a resident of Colorado for more than 30 years. I like to play basketball, football, and golf. I love outdoor activities like fishing and hiking. I look forward to driving with you.

Frank T.

Frank Torres is a retired federal government employee. He is originally from New Mexico, where he completed his high school and college education. In his spare time, Frank enjoys exercising, outdoor activities, sporting events, nature, and history. He recently moved to Colorado and looks forward to serving students as a Driving Instructor.

Faris

Hi my name is Faris. I love martial arts, food and being outdoors ( Sometimes ). I am an active competitor and love competition. I am a Kickboxing and Muay Thai coach and also teach wushu! I have coached kids, teens and adults for 14 years and counting. I am an instructor at heart. I love to get the most out of a student so they can realize what they are capable of. I look forward to working with you soon!

Donald H.

My name is Donald and I live in Pueblo. I’ve been married for 25 years and have 6 beautiful children and 5 grandchildren. I have often been seen at sporting events as a coach for basketball, baseball, and football. I love providing guidance and safety for our young generation. I look forward to making new friends as well as helping new Pueblo drivers to be safe and understand the rules and regulations of driving.

Dina

Hi, my name is Dina. I’ve lived in Colorado Springs for over 30 years. I’ve been married for 30 years and have 2 kids in college playing basketball and tennis. I was the Athletic Director at a local HS as well as a science teacher, kindergarten and PE teacher. I coached HS boys and girls tennis for 25+ years as well as Men’s tennis at Colorado College. I have a lot of experience coaching teenagers which has helped me when teaching them to drive.

Dan R.

Hello. My name is Dan. Over the years I have had careers in the semiconductor and trucking industries. Currently, I am semi-retired, and enjoy church activities, reading, riding Ebikes on the trails with my wife. Working on wood projects and building is a new hobby. I enjoy teaching and mentoring young people. Let’s have fun learning!

Curtis U.

My name is Curtis, and I am a native of Colorado. Having lived in various cities across the state, I’ve encountered many different types of drivers. My current job involves daily travel to customers’ homes to measure for carpet, which means I spend a lot of time on the road. Despite encountering many careless drivers, I have maintained a clean driving record. At the American Driving Academy, I am also dedicated to helping you keep a clean driving record. Welcome!

Crystal R.

Hi everyone! My name is Crystal. I was born and raised in NYC and I’ve recently relocated to Colorado. My free time is filled with the company of my 2 dogs, exploring new reads, and discovering exciting places to eat. Helping others is a passion of mine, and I take pleasure in assisting those around me. I am excited about the prospect of working with you!

¡Hola a todos! Mi nombre es Crystal. Nací y crecí en la ciudad de Nueva York y recientemente me mudé a Colorado. Mi tiempo libre lo paso en compañía de mis dos perros, explorando nuevas lecturas y descubriendo lugares emocionantes para comer. Ayudar a los demás es una pasión para mí, y me complace asistir a quienes me rodean. ¡Estoy emocionada por la posibilidad de trabajar contigo!

Cindy T.

Hello, my name is Cindy. I’ve lived in Colorado since I was 3 months old. I graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with a degree in environmental, populational, and organism biology. I am just short of a master’s degree in biology from the University of Colorado, Denver.

I grew up in the foothills of Denver and am passionate about animals, the mountains, flowers, and music! I sing in a large choir and also in its smaller performing group. I have two dogs that mean the world to me!

I love being a driving instructor and giving driving tests because I am totally passionate about making driving safe, enjoyable, and fun. It’s really important to me that new drivers learn about the laws of driving and the skills needed to drive safely and defensively. I have been a driving instructor since 2017 and a drive tester since 2019. I teach driving to students in a fun and responsible way.

Chelsea G.

Hello, I’m Chelsea. I love teaching others and I find a deep sense of pride and accomplishment when I help others achieve their goals. I like to connect with my students and go at a pace which is comfortable for them. I am a wife, and mother and helping and teaching others is what I was called to do.

I have my bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Minor in Sociology with an emphasis in Criminology from the Colorado State University-Pueblo. While completing my college education I was a trainer for the Target Warehouse and was responsible for training others how to safely operate heavy equipment for 8 years.

I followed my dream and became a certified Peace Officer once I completed my education. I was honored to serve the communities of Pueblo City and Custer County for 5 years. While in Law Enforcement, I became a certified Driving instructor, TASER instructor, Field Training Officer, and training coordinator for the Custer County Sheriff’s Office. I have many hours teaching new recruits how to operate vehicles safely and defensively.

I left Law Enforcement so I could spend more time with my family, and I was fortunate enough to find the American Driving Academy to work with. Now I can continue helping others and being with the ones who matter most in this world, family!

Charles A.

I’m Charles, I enjoy fishing, and photographing nature. I enjoy watching college football and NFL. I’m looking forward to help teaching you drive.

Cathy M.

Hello! My name is Cathy. I have a BSW degree and a heart for helping people. I am a Colorado native and have two wonderful children, a sweet rescue dog named Chrissie and chickens.

My hobbies include gardening, woodworking, and interior decorating. My many loves include God, family, and old movies.

Prior to being employed by American Driving Academy, both my children took their 30 Hour Classroom Program. They learned so much and are awesome drivers. I’m very grateful to be a part of this amazing team!

Cathi (Cat) R.

HI, I am Cathi (Cat), I am a Pueblo native and have lived in Kentucky, New Jersey and California. Approaching 25 years at CSU Pueblo in the Automotive Parts and Service Management (APSM—alumni ’88) and Automotive Industry Management (AIM) program. Past employers include Central Ford and Subaru, Champion Auto, Subaru of American, Western Auto, Parts America, Advance Auto and currently CSU Pueblo (Tenured Associate Professor).

My favorite pass-time is being home doing chores, special projects and taking care of my Pack and Pride.

Love to volunteer and help the Pueblo community. Active in the Blanchfield’s Butterflies Alzheimer’s team, Volunteer for with the Pueblo Blessing Boxes and an active Cat Colony Manager.

My favorite active sport is golfing, love the outdoors and a sport to enjoy solo or with others. My favorite sports to watch are golf, softball, professional football (I won’t tell you my teams) and horse racing Favorite music—can never go wrong with the 80’s.

Favorite motto: Come On, It’ll Be Fun.

Carole N.

My name is Carole. I am married and have 3 grown children and 3 amazing grandchildren. I love the outdoors, stock car and motorcycle racing. When I am not at work or at a race track, I like to be around horses as much as possible. Thank you for choosing American Driving Academy, the best place to go for all of your driving needs.

Carina M.

Hi! My name is Carina. I was born and raised in Colorado and love my mountains. I enjoy being outdoors in my spare time. I am fluent in English and Spanish.

¡Hola! Mi nombre es Carina. Nací y crecí en Colorado y amo mis montañas. Disfruto estar al aire libre en mi tiempo libre. Hablo inglés y español con fluidez.

Byron B.

Hello, I’m Byron. I truly love teaching others what I know and sharing my own experiences, both in the classroom and on the road. I’m honest about the mistakes I made when I was a younger driver and hope the students learn from that.

I served 20 years in the United States Army, which developed my very task oriented training mindset. This works very well with the program at the American Driving Academy. Teach what is legal and safe in a simple and fun way. Our program works and continuously improves.

I was then fortunate to be a Federal Police Officer for 10 years, of which eight years was as the Director of Training. This included training police officers to drive safely during emergent driving conditions. I apply the defensive driving skills learned from that experience to my new drivers. Avoid accidents!

What influenced me most about working with the American Driving Academy was the superior team here and their devotion to the community. Our team does their best to add safe and knowledgeable drivers to the roadways and I’m proud to be part of that process for over 6 years.

Brian

Hi my name is Brian, I am a Colorado native. I enjoy hunting, fishing and working on cars. When I’m not doing any of those i enjoy spending time with my family. I went to technical school in Kansas, after which I moved back to Aurora and have spent my career as a mechanic since 2008.

Brandon V.

Hello there. My name is Brandon and I am a Colorado native. I enjoy watching football and love repairing cars. I also enjoy traveling. I look forward to teaching you how to drive.

Becky P.

Hello, I’m Becky Pantano and I am proud to be a native of Colorado Springs. Except for a brief stint where I tried to live in California, I’ve called this beautiful city my home. In fact, I grew up about 5 blocks away from the American Driving Academy office. I have 3 amazing children, 2 of them having graduated from American Driving Academy. Witnessing their great experience started me thinking I could take on driving instructor as a second job. For the past 25 years, I’ve been a teacher and currently am teaching elementary school in northern Colorado Springs. I love feeding the hunger of young learners and can’t wait to successfully help put safe, knowledgeable drivers behind the wheel.

Barb G.

Hi, I’m Barbara. I was born and raised in Southern California and moved to Colorado with my family in my late teens, but my heart is in Texas!

I love horses, dogs, cats and really all animals. I love riding my bike on the Arkansas River Trail and being outdoors whenever I can….I love summer!

I work for the State of Colorado and have for seventeen years. I look forward to meeting you and working with you to achieve your goals of becoming a smart and safe driver!

Andy R.

Hello Everyone! My name is Andy and I was born here in Colorado. I spent 4 years of my life serving in the US Marines and had the opportunity to explore and travel the world. Some things I enjoy doing on my spare time are Camping, Hiking, going Off-roading, or even binge watching a good tv show.

One thing I enjoy the most is teaching someone how to do something and feeling that instant gratification right afterwards and what a better way to do that than to teach drivers education?

I look forward to working with you by giving you the best experience and head start to your driving journey.

¡Hola a todos! Mi nombre es Andy y nací aquí en Colorado. Pasé 4 años de mi vida sirviendo en el Militar de los Estados Unidos y tuve la oportunidad de explorar y viajar por el mundo. Algunas cosas que disfruto hacer en mi tiempo libre son acampar, salir a la carretera o incluso ver un buen programa de televisión.

Una de las cosas que más disfruto es enseñarle a alguien cómo hacer algo y sentir esa gratificación instantáneamente y qué mejor manera de hacerlo que enseñar educación vial?

Espero trabajar con usted para brindarle la mejor experiencia y comenzar su viaje de conducción.

Amy G.

Hi everyone! I’m Amy. I have been teaching middle and elementary school for 16 years. I love teaching and I really enjoy helping others be successful learners.

I have lived in Colorado for most of my life. I love the crisp mountain air and the beautiful blue skies!

I have 2 teenager children, who keep my life both busy and fulfilled! I have also had the joy and experience of helping them both become confident and safe drivers.

I am very excited to help others learn to be safe and successful drivers!

Lamont L.

California native Lamont moved to Colorado through stationed Air Force parents, first living in Colorado Springs before relocating to the Denver metro area he’s called home for the past 23+ years. Lamont thoroughly enjoys sharing his extensive knowledge behind the wheel and shares a common passion among our instructors: to help teach and instill confidence on the roadways. As a motorcyclist and adding truck driving experience, Lamont can explain the roads and hazards calmly and easily digestibly. In his free time, Lamont enjoys using his creativity to design textiles, weight training, snowboarding, gaming, and cooking delicious food.

Daniel A.

Hello, my name is Daniel. I’m a veteran who is now attending college to pursue my degree. I speak Spanish and English fluently. In my free time I enjoy hiking, drawing and spending time with my family. I’m very excited to give back to my community by teaching others how to drive.

Hola, mi nombre es Daniel. Soy un veterano que ahora está atendiendo el colegio para obtener mi título. Puedo hablar español e inglés con fluidez. En mi tiempo libre me gusta ir en caminatas en la montaña, dibujar y pasar el rato con mi familia. Estoy muy emocionado de poder contribuir en mi comunidad enseñando a otros a conducir.