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instructor’s certificate and taught all the “fun” experience or a license. Thus, this was not too a
classes no one else wanted: remedial math, horrific or taxing duty. Twice a week I took them
remedial English, physical education, and history on the road in a van or smaller vehicle to practice
introductory classes. I also lived in an apartment their parking, lane changing, and freeway skills.
on-site in a penthouse that overlooked the Pacific For my first year, I had 100% success rate, and
Ocean and served as the dorm “father” 24/7. the students had zero accidents. A great time
However, it was the “and other duties as assigned” was had by all. That was until September of the
that brought me to the “help, I’m going to die” following year.
moment. Oh, what a fateful day that was! I had two
The special duty was to assist those who did male students with no prior driving experience
not have a commercial license permit to drive or license. One was from Pendleton, Oregon
the college’s vans or other vehicles in California and the other from an Alaskan Native village.
to obtain one through the Department of Motor “Cowboy” Tom “drove” his horse (the family
Vehicles. While I could not administer the actual tractor) and seemed to be able to adjust to us
behind-the-wheel test, I was officially allowed “city folk” and more than three cars on the road
to give them practice written tests and be their at any time. Within two months Tom was done.
instructor for the final license exam. License in hand,he became a good, cautious,
Most of the students had prior driving and sensible driver.
VOICES! | MAY 2020 25
