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.

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

Elizabeth Cobb

Classroom Instructor

Elizabeth has been with Drivers Ed since June of 2017. She graduated from the University of Oregon with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders and Sciences with a minor in Special Education. Elizabeth is also an Educational Assistant at Juniper Elementary, Mountain View High School’s swim coach as well as the head novice coach for the Bend Swim Club. She is in the process of getting her Speech Language Pathologist Assistant License in hopes of going to graduate school for Speech-Language Pathology in the next year or two. She loves teaching Drivers Ed because of the excitement prior to getting your license and the importance of being able to make the right decisions after.

Damian Fagan

Classroom and Behind-the-Wheel Instructor

Damian has been a Driver Ed instructor since 2012. He has worked more jobs than most instructors, including stints as a wildlife biologist, National Park ranger, Bend Bulletin Special Projects freelance writer, author, COCC Community Learning instructor, and High Desert Museum Communications Manager. Just don’t ask him about his time working on the back of a garbage truck in Texas! He strongly believes in safety first and learning to be a defensive driver, especially as traffic increases in Central Oregon.

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!

Eimaan Khan

Behind-the-Wheel Instructor

Bio in progress – stay tuned!

John Lewis

Behind-the-Wheel Instructor

Bio in progress – stay tuned!

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.

Ellen Pfeifer

Classroom Instructor

Bio in progress – stay tuned!

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!

Fred Roy

Behind-the-Wheel Instructor

Bio in progress – stay tuned!

Jeff Sloan

Behind-the-Wheel Instructor

A former Finance Manager, Jeff has worked to give back to the community during his retirement years.  He served as a bus driver in the Bend Lapine school district for 5 years.  Wanting to have a more direct impact on the quality of drivers on the road, he became a driver’s education instructor in early 2015.  He continues his passion of staying connected with students and helping them develop life skills, an extension of his many years as a college recruiter prior to retirement.

Jack Thomas

Classroom and Behind-the-Wheel Instructor

Jack is a licensed Physical Education teacher. Originally from Washington DC, loves explaining to students how different driving is there than in Central Oregon. Jack has been with High Desert Drivers Ed for 1 year and loves seeing the transformation of beginner driver to safety driver.

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.  

Kayla Webb

Classroom & Behind-the-Wheel Instructor

Bio in progress – stay tuned!

Chris Wilde

Behind-the-Wheel Instructor

Bio in progress – stay tuned!

Wes Witty

Behind-the-Wheel Instructor

Wes has been with the High Desert drivers education since 2012. He attended high school locally at Bend High and Mountain View. He really enjoys giving back to the schools and making his hometown safer and the kids more professional behind the wheel!