As school and activities begin, streets begin to become more crowded which means student drivers. Drivers Education is an extracurricular activity available for students 14 years of age or older taken after school from September 8th through the 19th lasting three weeks. Getting into the activity is difficult, this year over a hundred students signed up.
“The process to join the class is through a lottery system, you get a ticket and out of however many sign up only twenty-five are chosen per semester,” Beatriz Martinez, instructor of drivers education, said.
The course allows students to learn how to drive but also getting hands-on experience with driving through the student parking lot. Genesis Medina, Trade academy sophomore, decided to take on the class this year in preparation to begin her driving journey.
“I joined so I could learn how to drive and get my restricted license. Although I am scared about parallel parking, my siblings had taken the class and recommended it to me because they got to know the road better,” Medina said.
Martinez, Physical Education teacher at Bernidiane Sitts, is the new instructor for the upcoming semesters.
“To teach drivers education I had to take nine credit hours of classes, so I took three classes last year. I was able to take them through Fort Hays State University. Every teacher needs to get their license renewed every five years and I do not have a masters degree so I needed five credit hours but I just do not like taking random classes, I want it to be useful. The previous instructor for drivers ed had recommended teaching the class and I wanted to give it a try because I am going to take the classes anyways. Luckily I taught a class over the summer shadowing the previous instructor so it was my student teaching and now this is my first time doing it by myself,” Martinez said.
After taking the class, students can then get either their restricted license or official license, insurance companies also offer the services discounted.
“For me it helped me learn a lot in a short amount of time,” Angel Balbandea, Trade junior, said; “I was able to learn alongside another student and I learned a lot from the course. I recommend this class to everybody that is interested in getting their license as it has helped me and many others gain confidence behind the wheel.”
