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Dee Palacios |
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Rick Mariscal Rick has been a driving instructor for 7 years and is also currently working as a teacher and coach at El Cerrito High School. Rick approaches teaching with a positive attitude everyday. He values working with the youths of today and helping them to find and reach all the potential they have. BEHIND THE WHEEL DRIVERS TRAINING |
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Eric Esparza Eric is a local to the San Francisco Bay Area and has been a supervisor at several other businesses. His managerial skills have proven to be an assett when it comes to driving instruction. He has been a driving instructor for the past 6 years. It is important to him that his students have the direction they need to pass the DMV road test and to be smart and safe drivers on the road. BEHIND THE WHEEL DRIVERS TRAINING |
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Dee Fong Putthongvilai Dee has been an East Bay native for over 27 years. Before becoming a driving instructor, he was a CHP officer for 4 years. He investigated numerous traffic collision and is very knowledgeable of traffic laws and the California Vehicle Code. He is a calm, relaxed, yet informative driving instructor who specializes in freeway instruction and teaches thorough street driving lessons. He looks forward to teaching new drivers. BEHIND THE WHEEL DRIVERS TRAINING |
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Sonny Putthongvilai Sonny was born in Thailand but lived in the Bay Area his entire life. He works for the Board of Equalization as a Tax Auditor. He has an MBA from Cal State East Bay and holds a CPA. He enjoys sharing his knowledge and working with people. His easy going personality makes him a great instructor. He looks forward to helping new drivers learn the rules of the road. BEHIND THE WHEEL DRIVERS TRAINING |
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Orlando Escolar (No longer available) Orlando has lived in the Bay Area for the past 40 yearsand is a father of two. He offers comprehensive and focused lessons—and has proven to be a patient and calm instructor to learn from. He hopes to teach student drivers the best way to drive and stay safe on the road. Orlando offers stick shift lessons in your own vehicle. BEHIND THE WHEEL DRIVERS TRAINING |
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Laurie "Dee Dee" Bennett DD was born in Oakland, and has lived in the Bay Area for the past 30 years. She is a mother of three, and a grandmother of five. DD has been a school bus driver for Mills College for the past 20 years and values the importance of safe driving skills. She conducts basic driving lessons for beginners. BEHIND THE WHEEL DRIVERS TRAINING |
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Ally Ally the pit-bull has no experience whatsoever in teaching or driving. She has applied for the position several times but she was not hired due to: inability to speak the English language, excessive chewing of toy, and falling asleep during interview. However, she wanted me to remind you all if you'd like to save an animal and have a great addition to your family - adopt from the SPCA or your local animal shelter. Interested in Adopting an American Pit Bull? www.agirl-and-apit.com |
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Boogie Boogie is also not a current driving instructor with our school. He was not hired due to his shady past including convictions for disorderly conduct and misdemeanor theft at PETCO. He did want to remind the everyone that the Oakland Animal Shelter located at 1101 29th Ave is always seeking volunteers and affordable donations are always appreciated. |
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Jenoa Harlow Jenoa, a Bay Area native, has been working as an administrative assistant for the Berkeley Driving School for 4 years. She also can accompany drivers to the DMV's road test in one of our commercial/business vehicles if no instructor is available. She is punctual, friendly, and can be available for early morning DMV appointments. Please click on our DMV Road Test Assistant link for more details. THE ASSISTANT EXTRAORDINAIRE |
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Samantha Cooper Samantha is a native of California and has lived in the Bay area for the last 15 years. She can assist and accompany drivers to any of the Bay area DMVs for the road test in our driving school vehicle. She will give a complimentary high-five when you pass the road test. She is available for early morning and last minute appointments. She is on-time, friendly and professional. She is also a free-lance photographer. If interested her website is www.samanthacooperphotography. Office Assistant Extraordinaire II |
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Annette Gagnon Annette is from Honolulu and has lived in the Bay Area for the past 18 years. She has managed and supervised varied businesses and now has been the owner & operator of the Berkeley Driving School Since 2002. She is organized and is very knowledgeable of state requirements and procedures to obtain your California permit and/or license.You may call the office with any questions or if you need to make arrangements with any of our services. She will happily assist. ADMINISTRATION/OWNER & OPERATOR |
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Gary Eagle "We miss you Gary" Gary has always been a Bay Area native and has been a driving educator for the past 6 years. He enjoys his classes teaching teenagers all the important aspects of becoming a safe driver. He hopes to contribute to changing the reputation that teenage drivers have by teaching a thorough and informative class. DRIVER EDUCATION—BERKELEY |
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Don Louie (We miss you, Don!) Born and raised in Oakland, Don has been a career driving instructor for the past 30 years. He had also been an instructor at OPS for 37 years and is a graduate of UC Berkeley. Don enjoys interacting with students while instructing and finds it rewarding to see their motivation and progress. He specializes in nervous beginners with no prior experience. His lessons consist of walking students through their fears, learning the basics, and eventually advancing their skills properly. BEHIND THE WHEEL DRIVERS TRAINING |
Our Instructors & Staff
