Kelsie Barker

Classroom and Behind-the-Wheel Instructor

Charles Bechtell

Behind-the-Wheel Instructor

Charlie has been with High Desert Driver Education since spring of 2014.  He likes working with high school kids and finding out about things they like to do. He enjoys mountain biking in his spare time.

Bruce Carne

Kate Clason

Behind-the-Wheel Instructor

When I retired from 12 years teaching middle and high school to become a Speech & Language Assistant in elementary school, I missed working with older students. When the opportunity to teach driver education presented itself, I jumped at the chance! That was 10 years ago and it seems a perfect “fit”! It is wonderful to assist students with this exciting time in their lives. I am fortunate to be a part of the excellent Oregon driver education program, and we are committed to helping students become safe drivers.

It takes a village!

Kate

Sean Creighton

Diana DeLand

Classroom Instructor and Classroom Peer Coach

Hello, my name is Diana DeLand and I have been with High Desert Driver Education since 2015.  I spent 15 years with the Beaverton and Redmond School Districts working at the middle school level as a Media Assistant/Librarian and realized it was time for a change.  I really enjoy working with high school students and it is very rewarding to guide them toward this new level of independence as safely as possible.  I love to drive and hope to share my passion for road trip adventures with a healthy dose of smart choices and respect for low-risk driving behaviors with your student.

When I’m not in the classroom, you can find me with my husband Don on a golf course, or in a kayak or playing with our adorable granddaughter in La Grande!

Sheri Fayal

Classroom Instructor, Behind-the-Wheel Instructor and New Hire Coordinator

I’ve been a driver ed instructor since 2015 and I am honored to be apart of an exciting time in a teen’s life of getting their driver’s license. I tell my students that driver ed could be the most important course they take in high school, which I truly believe it is. My goal, as an instructor, is to help them become a safer and smarter driver for years to come. I commend you, parents, for enrolling your teen in the HDDE program and I look forward to being their instructor.

Samantha Hatch

Classroom and Behind-the-Wheel Instructor

I am currently 26 years old. I am a Central Oregon native. I lived in Sunriver until the age of 13 and moved to Redmond in 2004. I am the mother of identical twin girls, born in August of 2016. Previously, I worked at the Deschutes County Courthouse in Bend as a court scheduler. After having two babies, we decided that it would be best for me to primarily be a stay-at-home-Mom. I was introduced to High Desert Driver Ed by my sister, Stephanie, who is the Assistant Manager of the program. I came on board in January of 2017 and have been an instructor for almost 1 year. I have such a passion for teaching teens the safest way to drive as I have a niece who is about to get her license. As she approached the driving age, I realized how important it was that she be as safe as possible behind the wheel. I know this is a common feeling amongst parents so we’re excited to have your student(s) as a part of our program!

Shannon Herringer

Classroom and Behind-the-Wheel Instructor

Bio in progress – stay tuned!

Mayamba Ibrahim

Classroom and Behind the Wheel Instructor

Drivers Ed combines two things I enjoy, people and driving!  After high school in Nigeria I came to the US and got my Accounting degree from Portland State University in 1989 (tell your kids that yes, people were alive back then)! My perspective as an immigrant reminds me that we are equipping your drivers with skills they can use in any driving environment globally. My wife and I enjoyed raising our two daughters, and now I’m enjoying working on the management team of a small family business here in central Oregon, as well as having a lot of fun instructing drivers.

Teri Johnson

Mike LaRue

Neil Mackey

Greetings…

My name is Neil Mackey, aka “Big Mac”, and I am proud to be one of the new Driver Ed Instructor at High Desert ESD!

I retired from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office with 30 years on in 2014. After enjoying my first THREE days of retirement, the Sheriff convinced me to come back, working part-time as a School Resource Deputy at Tumalo and Terrebonne Community schools.

After deciding to “re-retire” in June 2019 (lol…permanently, this time, at least from law enforcement!)  I knew I needed something to keep me occupied. I really enjoy spending time with students, teaching and spending time in the classroom, so coming on as a Driver Ed Instructor was an easy choice.

I look at this as a “win-win” … hopefully, I can relay some practical and vital information to new drivers based on both my personal and professional experiences. Additionally, I’ll be sharing the road with these new drivers, so anything I can do to help them develop and maintain good driving habits helps keep my family and I safe as well.

See you behind the wheel or in the classroom!

Cathy Negret

Behind-the-Wheel Instructor

Bio in progress – stay tuned!

Brian O'Connor

Behind-the-Wheel Instructor

As a retired US Navy “hard hat” diver, government security contractor and physical security specialist; I decided it might be time to try out a safer occupation. So, on a suggestion from a good friend, I joined the High Desert Driver Education Team as a Behind-The-Wheel instructor. While many parents shudder at the mere thought of teaching their kids to drive, I have found it to be satisfying, fun, and occasionally a little bit exciting. As I tell the kids around the time of their first lesson; “This is the one, seriously adult class that you will take in high school, so pay attention, it can save your life”. Watching the students take their classroom-acquired knowledge and my simple tricks, tips, and techniques and turn them into safe and responsible driving habits is rewarding in itself. Knowing that they will use these skills for the rest of their lives is even more so. Hopefully, they will share them with other family members too, as this is really good stuff. I look forward to working with our parents and students, for the mutual benefit of all who share the roadways. Best Regards.

Greg Owens

Classroom, Behind-the-Wheel Instructor, and Behind-the-Wheel Peer Coach

Beth Pengra

Behind-the-Wheel Instructor

Hi! My name is Beth Pengra. I have been teaching Behind The Wheel for about 3 years. I became a Behind The Wheel Instructor because I enjoy working with young people and encouraging safe driving behaviors. Working with young people is a gift and privilege. To inspire this generation to become a safe driver is an exciting challenge. I was born and raised in the Seattle area. Learning to drive there prepared me for various situations that can occur. I moved to Oregon after graduating from EWU and met my wonderful husband of 27 years. We have 2 amazing adult children, who we are so thankful for. I also have been an Educational Assistant for several years at one of our local elementary schools. I have the blessed opportunity to teach children how to read and then later how to be safe drivers. I love what I get to do! I am also very thankful for who I get to work with.

Tracy Pinkerton

Behind-the-Wheel Instructor

My name is Tracy Pinkerton and I have been teaching drivers ed for about 4 years. I think driving is one of the most important things that we teach young adults to do. I have coached sports for years and I am also an elementary PE teacher.

Teaching drivers ed gives me an opportunity to work with young adults and help them to become safe drivers, sometimes I even get students that I have taught in PE and they sure have changed 🙂

Teaching drivers education also gives me an opportunity to meet some amazing students!

Tom Staley

Behind-the-Wheel Instructor

Bio in progress – stay tuned!

Mark Swearingen

Rene VanTilborg

Classroom and Behind-the-Wheel Instructor

Rene’ came to Bend, Oregon after retirement from a lengthy Law Enforcement career in California; where he taught traffic safety for ten years in addition to his Police Work.

Rene’ is passionate about teaching driver safety, especially for new drivers. “Protecting our loved ones from preventable highway death or injury is best taught from the ground up at the inception when new drivers want a license and want to drive.”

He has a Criminal Justice Degree, Business Management Degree and a Master Degree in Public Administration.  In December 2015, Rene completed his Oregon State Traffic Safety Educator Certification and joined the team at HDESD, Driver Ed.  

Mark Walls

Classroom and Behind-the-Wheel Instructor

I have worked with High Desert Driver Education as a classroom and behind-the-wheel instructor for over 4 years.  I enjoy helping students through the process of learning to drive by building lifesaving habits they will carry forward throughout their lifetime.  It is amazing to witness firsthand the progression from beginning to accomplished driver with each student.  I strive to create new and innovative ways to guide students through the learning-to-drive process, utilizing games, activities, and other varied interactions to increase engagement.   I am a licensed teacher, and often can be found working in area middle school and high school classrooms in a variety of subjects.  While not busy with teaching, I work around my hobby farm, I truly enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, and I also stay busy with my two grandsons.

“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do. “

– Pele

Chris Wilde

Behind-the-Wheel Instructor

Bio in progress – stay tuned!

Harl Williams (Buzz)

Behind-the-Wheel Instructor and Fleet Manager

So, after failing retirement from UPS I went in search of something positive, constructive, and rewarding to do.  I found a new home at High Desert Driver Education.  For the past 10 years, I have been teaching behind the wheel driving and have experienced a feeling of great gratification in watching students develop safe driving skills.  Besides the improvement in driving, I’m amazed at the personal growth these young people have shown.  Buzz