I want to take a minute to acknowledge a very rare and interesting breed of the human species... The Driver's Education Instructor. As Moody Teen continues to come home alive each day from "Behind the Wheel" driving instruction, I have been curious about the kind-faced (and obviously insane) instructor, risking his life on a daily basis, in order to magically transform my child into a legal (and safe?) driver.
Is he constantly (and pointlessly) stomping the imaginary brake pedal on the floorboard of the passenger's seat? Does he have to resist the urge to grab the wheel and steer away from the oncoming car/child/bike with every fiber of his being? Does he pop blood pressure pills like they're Tic Tacs? And finally, how often does he accidentally shout out, wild-eyed and in a panic, "For the love of God... You almost got us killed!!"?
Just curious.
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21 comments:
Yes, they are the forgotten heroes.
Mo got her permit in June and Steve is teaching her to drive. I sat in the front once when she drove about a mile. I will not be the responsible adult again any time soon. She is thankful for that...
BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHa No kidding. I am NOT doing well with the learner's permit stuff, and my teen is blaming ME. "you freak me out mom!".
His driver's ed instructor for the driving sessions was my daughter's music teacher! I kid you not. I found that odd for some reason. Did he sing while they drove? Hmm...
I remember some scary moments of my teenage driving education! They must pay them a lot or something. :)
That is a great question! Too funny.
You gotta have a phlegmatic personality to deal with teen wanna drivers!
That brings back some memories. I remeber my driver's ed teacher had the worst breath and listened to talk radio in the 1992 Toyota Celica we practiced on.
I had the same questions (or concerns) when C was taking driving lessons. I believe it takes a special kind of person to do that job.....and I worry he must go home and beat the crap out of his family and blame it all on the stress of his job. Ugh.
I think they should make "Behind the Wheel" a reality TV show - put cameras in driving instructors cars and video tape what goes on during those driving sessions!
I took my first driver's test at 14 (gotta love the midwest) and turned right from the left lane. I, for the life of me, have no idea why someone would CHOOSE to have that job. Maybe they secretly make an insane amount of money? No clue...
I never really thought of it! So true. Mine was a trooper.
That IS a good question!!
I don't know how they do it! I'm a nervous wreck when Mandi (girlfriend) is driving and have to basically close my eyes when she's behind the wheel. Example: We drove from NY to FL to TX to AZ. Mandi drove ONE hour of that. I just couldn't take it!
No way I could teach a teenager how to drive!
Ronnie
Ughh.. we are a year and a half away from this!
you can drive online prior at
www.teenlivedrive.com
Actually those Driver's Ed cars have a break on the passenger's side… it's just you who does not have one to press when he's practicing.
I never knew that you were supposed to break when you turn and learned my lesson pretty quickly— especially since my fellow classmates were in the back seat. That passenger-side break probably did come in handy.
I'm pretty sure they get so used to risking their lives, they just go numb.
When I had Driver's Ed in high school, the instructor most certainly had a brake pedal on his side. Of course that didn't stop one of the drivers from rear-ending another car. (It wasn't me - I was in the back seat).
They can't pay those brave souls enough. I tried to teach my kids for a spell and gave up. They argued. They slammed on the brakes. I screamed. They argued. What a nightmare.
I seem to remember making a left turn into oncoming traffic and narrowly missing getting my driving instructor and myself killed by a dump-truck! Needless to say he flunked me.
I have five children. My oldest daughter had to take the test numerous times. She was the worst driver in the world. Amazingly, she's in her 20's now and she's a GOOD driver. Go figure.
My Drivers' Ed teacher always said he was going to write a book about his experiences in the car with students. I can't even imagine!!
I think those instructors are always drunk.
Just kidding.
They're only drunk when the kids are driving:)
And how often does he say in a completely deadpan voice, "Ummm...you need to get off the curb."
To which the snotty teen replies, "Well, no kidding."
Oh, wait. That was just me. :)
Hee hee hee...I always think about them when I pass them on the road...I usually say a silent prayer for them!
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