Our Instructors
Dan and Lorraine Dunican, husband and wife team

We have been teaching at Bakker's Driving School for several years. With three children of our own, and grandchildren growing up, we know what it is like having a house full of young people looking forward to that very important day, in their lives, when they learn how to drive. We know what parents have to go through. We know you want a competent teacher that is kind and patient. We love traffic safety and consider it a privilege to serve your family.

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Don Conway

I have always enjoyed teaching. I worked for another driving school for nine years. I care about the safety of young people behind the wheel and I have helped many students get their licenses. High School is a great time of life and getting a driver's license should be just as rewarding. Transportation is an important part of a high school student's life. My goal is to make them successful.

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Gerhard Bethe

I am originally from Germany. I have taught driver's training most of my life. I teach driving lessons part-time to keep myself busy, after moving to San Diego where I have more or less retired. I teach mostly in the Ramona area where I am told students constantly request me. I teach slowly and calmly the first day until the student gets his or her confidence up. Then on the 2nd and 3rd lesson we go down the hill. I know sometimes it can be scary, but it is important and I am very positive and supportive. I know you will like walking from my training car at the end of the lesson with the confidence that you can really do this--and the skills to ace your test.

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Julian Alfaro

The owner of the school says I was born to teach. I pay close attention to what my student is saying and how he is doing to help him get through difficult driving situations. Students need simple easy instructions and then quiet to allow them to drive safely.  Many teachers talk too much and interfere with their student's learning. I am naturally calm this has a calming effect on my students. A calm teacher with a gentle voice has relaxed students.  A nervous jittery teacher has nervous students. If you have never driven in your life, you cannot imagine how fast you will learn with a good teacher.  If you are nervous and afraid to drive, I am the right teacher for you. I like my job.

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Lauren Spengler

I've been teaching driver's training for many years. I currently live in Oceanside with my family. Teaching comes natural to me. When you have the ability to always see the best in your students and when you are patient, your students relax and will listen to you. Being a good teacher is effortless for me and my students know success!

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Oscar Meza-Perez

When teaching there is a right moment to be supportive and positive, and there is a moment when saying nothing is the right thing to do. I give each student my full attention.  I teach them how to be safe drivers and tell them when they are doing well.  Students like when I laugh with them when they make mistakes instead of being impatient.  Patience is a natural part of who I am. I am told my two month old nephew prefers to be with me because he is comfortable with me.  The office says students find me more comfortable to be with because I am closer to their age and they can relate to me easier. They have reported through the office staff when scheduling, "Oscar is cool.  He rocks!"Back to the top

Roosevelt Courtney

The office tells me I am one of the most requested teachers at Bakker's. I teach the drive test material so thoroughly that my students have the highest 100% rating of all the teachers at Bakker's. I know that your driving instructor is the one teacher you'll never forget. I hope to make your driving experience enjoyable.

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Teresa Keneaster

I have been teaching driver's education and driver's training for many years now. I believe in concentrated teaching for the full 2 hour lesson. If the student is just going to "drive around" they don't need me for that. When a student has me as a teacher, I want him to feel as if he has learned so much that he can recognize the progress he has made from the beginning to the end of the lesson. If you want thorough road test preparation and defensive driving skills you will find me to be one of the most dedicated teachers you will ever meet.

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Bob Tonthat

Students find me to be their favorite instructor because I am easy to get along with.  In my many years of teaching, I have heard so many stories from my students about driving instructors that lose their temper or yell at their students.  I cannot understand why anyone would want to be mean to an inexperienced driver.  I can tell you that teenagers like teachers who are patient and explain instruction in a clear and simple manner.  I just love traffic safety.  I enjoy teaching students about the laws and rules of driving.  I want my students to understand traffic safety.  And I know the best way to do that is to be relaxed and easy going.  The office tells me I am requested so much because of my precise careful teaching in an easygoing style.