About Our Driving School

John Bolen, was born in Rittman, Ohio, where he received his B/S in Education from Kent State University in 1988. John also played college and semi-pro football in Northeastern Ohio for the Akron Bulldogs for many years and was a team captain that won 35 games in a row over three years. John retired from Martin County Schools in 2018, where he was a PE teacher since 1988, so you can do the math for how many years. John was the past President of the Florida Professional Driving School Association and is still an active member. He was also the Executive Vice President of the Driving School Association of the Americas and is still an active member of the Board. He has also written and teaches courses used by the State of Florida to train prospective Drivers Ed Instructors who wish to become instructors for any driving school wishing to operate in our state. John taught physical education at Crystal Lake Elementary and at MCHS from 1988-2004. John then taught physical education at Port Salerno Elementary school from 2005-2018. John has also coached MCHS baseball from 1987-1994, MCHS football from 1988-1997, and from 1999 to 2004. John has many interests, including spending time with his family, playing drums, and woodworking. When asked, "why do you enjoy teaching drivers education?" John responded, "I like teaching students valuable skills which they can use the rest of their lives and seeing them become more confident in their ability to drive both physically and mentally." John Bolen is certified to teach all classes that ATCDSI offers.

Kendall is a co-owner and comes to us from the University of Central Florida, where he graduated with a degree in Psychology in 2015. Kendall was involved in Ice Hockey growing up and played at a very high level across the United States during his teenage years and beyond. He also maintained a high GPA throughout college and high school at Jacksonville Bolles. Kendall has taken over running the Stuart office and all day-to-day operations for A Treasure Coast Driving School...like he has been there from day one. Yes, he is our owner's son, so it may be "naturally" in his blood. Kendall brings a fresh new vision and outlook to A Treasure Coast Driving School, and he will be the person who keeps track (bookkeeping-wise) of what, when, and how you paid. He also coordinates all the high school programs and accounts payable. He also enters all the data into the state for ticket and drug and alcohol classes. We look to Kendall for any verification of payment/attendance/ or makeup issues. He also has implemented many new ideas, projects, and strategies to keep ATCDSI at the top of the list regarding driving schools in Florida and the United States.

Alicia is originally from Indiantown, Florida. She graduated from Florida State University with a bachelor's degree in social sciences. She is the friendly voice behind the phone when you call our office. Alicia is enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and willing to assist whenever you call! So If you have any questions, she has the answers. Alicia also monitors our email inquiries and will be the person who is sending you information. She also has complete control over our road test scheduling and booking procedures. She is the person who assigns you a driving instructor when you are looking for private driving lessons.

Eddie has been a driving instructor with us since 2000. He teaches driver ed classroom and behind-the-wheel lessons. Eddie is from New York City and went to college in New York City. Eddie enjoys fishing, boating, and relaxing. When asked why he likes teaching driver education, Eddie responded, "I love the feeling I get when one of my students passes the driver's license exam, gets their license, and is a good, safe driver. Knowing I had a part in them becoming a safe and responsible driver is very rewarding."

Bill has been a driving instructor with us since 2018. Before becoming a driving instructor, Bill taught world history at Stuart Middle School and social studies at Spectrum & Willoughby Learning Center. Before teaching in public schools, he was a SIM Flight Trainer in Miami for commercial airline pilots for both American and foreign students. Bill was also an international pilot for DELTA. We are super excited to have Bill with us. Bill has a unique perspective from his past careers and started with us because he has a son who he was teaching to drive and wanted us to do it instead of him. We started a conversation, and as they say, the rest is history.

Nikki Donin is a Palm Beach County driving instructor and mom of two great kids who are safe drivers. Engaging students with patience and positivity while instilling confidence are the hallmarks of her teaching style! Nikki's ultimate goal is to help students gain the skills and confidence necessary to become safe and responsible drivers. Nikki lives in West Palm Beach and will do private lessons in Mid to North Palm Beach County...as well as the Free upcoming programs associated with the Palm Beach County School District. We are excited to have Nikki on our team because her personality is contagious.

Ed is married to Amiee and has quite a large family...six kids, yes, six! Ed is the athletic director at South Fork High School and, in the past, was an administrator/teacher at WT Dwyer High School. Ed is certified and has taught ESE before becoming an administrator. Ed was our first employee 27 years ago and is also John Bolen's (our owner and founder) best friend. Ed has also been a head football coach in Martin and St Lucie counties. He teaches our driver education classes and has hundreds of repeat/referral customers due to the enormous number of students he has instructed over the years. When asked why he likes teaching driver education, Ed responded, "Learning to drive is something you remember for your entire life. Plus, I enjoy using ATCDSI's program and watching new drivers understand how they fit into the complete scheme of driving safely and defensively."

Forrest is a lifelong resident of Palm Beach County and attended John I Leonard High School. He also worked in the corporate world for many years for HP and did several training and team-building events in his tenure with HP before retiring. He realized that he still misses teaching and the interactions accompanying it, so this was a perfect union. We have trained him to implement our proven driving system to keep you and your new teen driver safe and confident.

Steve has been a driving instructor with us since 2018. Steve has taught driver education classes and behind-the-wheel lessons in Brevard County since 2010. Steve is a fourth-generation Miamian and a graduate of Miami Dade Community College and Miami Dade Police Academy (formerly Dade County Public Safety Academy). Steve served 28 years working road patrol as a detective, road sergeant, accident investigator, and in firearms training. When not teaching, Steve can be found on his farm in south Brevard growing exotic fruit trees, hiking, fishing, and hunting.

Ginny was born and raised in Lehighton, PA. She earned her bachelor's degree in physical education at Slippery Rock University. She was the fitness director for the Allentown YWCA before beginning her teaching career with Chesterfield County Public Schools. She completed her MeD in instruction and curriculum at Virginia Commonwealth University and earned her National Board Teaching Certificate. She taught physical education at Bensley Elementary School and Spring Run Elementary School for 34 years. In addition, she also taught driver education and behind-the-wheel instruction. She retired in 2020 from the school district and moved to Vero Beach with her husband. In 2021, she became a school bus driver and joined our school as a driving instructor. Her hobbies include outdoor activity, exercise, cooking, homemaking/entertaining, involvement in church, and travel. Ginny enjoys working with new drivers. Nothing is more rewarding than to witness the practical growth of knowledge and skill developed by students during driver education/instruction.

Ben is a social studies teacher and football coach at Martin County High School. Ben has been a driving instructor with us since 2019. He graduated from The University of Maryland College Park with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and then attended James Madison for his teaching degree. Ben also taught driver education for AAA and the Police Academy & Emergency Vehicle Operations center in Virginia. Ben loves our system of teaching driver ed and adds a little spice to the mix because of his past experiences.

Yenory Mejia was born in Queens, NY but grew up in Boca Raton, FL. Yenory served in the United States Navy and attended Florida Atlantic University, earning a bachelor's degree in multimedia journalism. She received her master’s degree in school counseling from Palm Beach Atlantic University. Yenory has taught since 2012 and has been a school counselor in St. Lucie County for three years. She has been a driving instructor at our school since 2016. She enjoys swimming, reading, and spending time with her dog. When asked why she enjoys teaching driver education, Yenory responded, "I like knowing that I am helping students become better and safer drivers."

Skip Morgan was born in Shreveport, La, and received his bachelor's degree in education from Northwestern State in Louisiana. Skip has been a physical education teacher in Martin County since 1983 and a driving instructor at our school since 1996. He also coached wrestling and football and is current the head coach for boys tennis. Skip has many interests, which include fishing and all sports. When asked why he likes teaching driver education, Skip responded, "I like teaching students who don't know much about driving and turning them into drivers who will be safe and follow the rules of the road."

James has been a driving instructor with us since 2009. He is also a life skills teacher at Fort Pierce Westwood High School and has taught in St. Lucie County since 2002. He also taught for three years in Indian River County. Jim is originally from Connecticut and relocated to Florida in 2009. He attended college at Nova University. Jim enjoys writing, playing music, creating art, and restoring muscle cars. When asked why he likes teaching driver education, Jim responded, "I enjoy teaching young adults meaningful life skills. I also love anything about cars and driving."

Jeff (also known as Coach Padgett) is a physical education teacher at Martin County High School and has been a driving instructor with us since 2011. Jeff gives the behind-the-wheel driving lessons and teaches classes as needed. When asked why he likes teaching driver education, Jeff responded, "The young drivers are the most impressionable, and it is nice knowing that I can help them."

Mark was a teacher and a coach in St Lucie County for 28 years and ended his career as the dean of students. He has been a driving instructor with our school since 2014. Yes, he has a soft side, and many of his students enjoy his humor. Mark graduated from U-MASS with a bachelor's degree in physical education and Southern Connecticut State University with a master's degree in traffic safety education. Mark has taught drug and alcohol, point reduction, and driver education classes. He provides driving lessons in Sebastian, Indian River County, and Northern Fort Pierce.

Ron has been a teacher and head football coach at St. Lucie West Centennial High School County for 33 years. He graduated from Jacksonville State with a degree in education, guidance, and counseling. He lives in Port St. Lucie with his family and loves the A Treasure Coast Driving School system used to instruct new drivers. Coach Ron has many students that are sons and daughters of past students, so he can't wait to teach them how to drive safely and confidently. Ben has been a driving instructor with us since 2015.

Mike Santelli is a history teacher at South Fork High School and is an integral part of the driver education program at that school. He graduated from Stony Brook University in New York with a bachelor's degree in History before moving to Florida with his wife and beginning his career in education. Mike has a natural passion for teaching and has fully embraced our curriculum of teaching students how to be the safest and most confident drivers they can be.

Rosalia Sosa was born and raised in Harlem, New York. She retired from the New York Police Department after serving for 21 years. Throughout her career, Rosalia has gained extensive training and experience in problem-solving and customer service. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and cycling. She is also bilingual, and we are excited for her to be part of our team at A Treasure Coast Driving School.