Meet the Team
Ron Poole
Instructor
Teaching driver’s ed: Since 2012
In education: 38 years at Holland Public Schools
Family: Wife: Sue, Children: Kylea, grandpuppies – Ginger, Phalin, Faith & Emma; Kyle & Andrea, grandchildren: Ian & Annalise
Hobbies: Spending time with our grandchildren, playing golf, reading golf, teaching golf, living golf… it is an addiction; working at The Meadows at GVSU
Interesting facts: Avid collector of golf equipment; golf ball collection that is currently at 38,729
Enjoy about driver’s ed? I enjoy working with the teens and providing them with instruction which will equip them to drive a car safely. My goal for each teen is to become a responsible defensive driver. I truly cherish all the relationships that have been developed through the experiences of teaching drivers’ ed.
Jerry Wallinga
Instructor
Teaching driver’s ed: Since 1987!
In education: I taught & coached in Christian middle schools in California & Michigan for 31 years.
Family: I have been married to my fantastic wife Gay for almost __ years, and we have 4 beautiful daughters who are all married to wonderful guys, and who have given us 10 precious grandchildren.
Hobbies: I love to play golf, tennis & pickleball; I also enjoy traveling & chasing grandkids!
Enjoy about driver’s ed? Working with beautiful young people, and it’s never boring!
Alicia Beene
Instructor
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Chase Ockerse
Instructor
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Kraig Smith
Instructor
Teaching driver’s ed: Since 1994
In education: 35 years
Family: Wife, JoHannah and 4 adult children who all graduated from Zeeland East High School.
Hobbies: I love to be active with biking, hiking, table tennis, singing and serving in my church. I have also coached basketball at the middle school level in Holland for over 22 years and this transfers well to coaching students in improving their driving skills.
Enjoy about driver’s ed? It’s a lot of fun teaching when students are so motivated to learn how to drive
Gary Dykhouse
Instructor
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Drew Johnson
Instructor
Teaching driver’s ed: Since 2011
In education: Since 1997
Family: Wife Carrie, 3 kids: Mollie (23), Chet (18), Claire (13)
Hobbies: The kids’ sporting events, bowhunting, hiking, swimming
Enjoy about driver’s ed? I enjoy observing the growth the students show in just 4 on-the-road drives! Seeing them leave the nervousness behind and building more confidence is so fun! Once in a while it is a little scary too!
Shonett Davis
Instructor
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Jesse Carrell
Instructor
Teaching driver’s ed: Since 2009
In education: Since 1991 in elementary education at ZPS
Family: Wife, Lori; Kids, Aubri, Alden, Alex, Andrew
Hobbies: Playing guitar, hunting, gardening
Interesting facts: Got the privilege or driving with my own kids as a driver’s training instructor
Enjoy about driver’s ed? Love to see students go from scared to skilled behind the wheel
Chris Lowe
Instructor
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Kevin Betts
Instructor
Teaching driver’s ed: Since 2014
In education: Since 1997
Family: Wife & 2 boys
Hobbies: Biking, boating, camping, playing softball
Enjoy about driver’s ed? Working with students eager to learn something new and helping new drivers hone their skills.
Mark Sneller
Instructor
In education: 38 years
Family: Wife, Ann. Son and daughter-in-law live in Breckenridge, CO. Ben is an educator, Morgan is a physical therapist. Daughter and son-in-law currently in Philadelphia, PA. Betsy will be doing linguistic research at Georgetown University, Matt will be doing brain research at Harvard University.
Hobbies: We enjoy traveling over seas in the summer.
Enjoy about driver’s ed? I enjoy being able to work with teens as they learn to drive. It often relaxes me after a day with third graders. It gives me something else to think about.
Joy Klawiter
Instructor
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Chris Todd
Instructor
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