About Our Driving School

John Bolen was born in Rittman, Ohio, where he received his B/S in Education from Kent State University in 1988. John also played college and semi-pro football in Northeastern Ohio for the Akron Bulldogs for many years and was a team captain who won 35 games in a row over three years.

John retired from Martin County Schools in 2018, where he was a PE teacher since 1988, so you can do the math for how many years. John was the past President of the Florida Professional Driving School Association and is still an active member. He was also the Executive Vice President of the Driving School Association of the Americas and is still an active member of the Board. He has also written and teaches courses used by the State of Florida to train prospective Drivers Ed Instructors who wish to become instructors for any driving school wishing to operate in our state. John taught physical education at Crystal Lake Elementary and at MCHS from 1988 to 2004. John then taught physical education at Port Salerno Elementary School from 2005 to 2018.

John has also coached MCHS baseball from 1987 to 1994, MCHS football from 1988 to 1997, and 1999 to 2004. John has many interests, including spending time with his family, playing drums, and woodworking. When asked, "Why do you enjoy teaching driver education?" John responded, "I like teaching students valuable skills that they can use the rest of their lives and seeing them become more confident in their ability to drive both physically and mentally." John Bolen is certified to teach all classes that ATCDSI offers.

Nancy was born in Fort Pierce, Florida, and graduated from Florida Southern College in 1986 with a degree in Education. She is married and has three kids, of whom she is very proud. She currently lives in Sarasota, Florida, where she owns a small hobby farm. 

Nancy has been a school counselor for 25 plus years. She has loved her time working in the school system and helping students navigate their high school years. Nancy has also dedicated her time outside of the school day to coaching and training volleyball players. She has a long history of coaching high school and club volleyball.

Nancy has been a driving instructor with a previous company and enjoys watching young drivers become confident and independent behind the wheel. She takes being an instructor very seriously and is diligent about making sure young drivers understand the importance of being a safe driver.

Mia was born in Atlanta, GA. After moving to Alabama to attend high school, she graduated from Auburn University in 1998 with a degree in education. She has been a high school teacher, coach, and school counselor in three states. Mia has been in education for 26 years and at Venice High School as a school counselor since 2010. She loves to travel and spend time with her three kids. She has also been a driving instructor with a previous company and enjoyed the time with teens, teaching them all about driving safety. Whether as a teacher or counselor, Mia loves helping students grow and become better people.

Tarin Foster is an easygoing and encouraging teacher who believes that anything is possible with practice, a positive attitude, and someone to support you. She is excited to be that supportive person for students at Florida West Coast Driving School. Tarin is an experienced English teacher who has been teaching at Venice High School for over 15 years. Originally from Buffalo, New York, she holds a Master’s degree in English Education from Buffalo State University. She is dedicated to creating a supportive and engaging classroom environment where students are encouraged to think critically, express themselves clearly, and grow as learners. Tarin is married and the proud mother of an 18-year-old son, whom she also had the meaningful experience of teaching to drive. Outside the classroom, she enjoys riding her bicycle and spending time outdoors. She brings compassion, energy, and a deep love of language and learning to everything she does. Tarin is thrilled to join the Florida West Coast Driving School team and looks forward to helping students feel confident and safe behind the wheel.  

Justine McNaughton is a Firefighter/ EMT who has spent the last 8 years of her career providing medical care to people of all ages involved in Motor Vehicle Accidents. Justine has seen the devastation that distracted driving, road rage, and lack of driving education can cause in our community. She is excited to help you become a better driver so that you can protect yourself and others on the road.

Justine was born and raised in Riverside, California. In 1998, her family moved to the Midwest, where she lived for 23 years in Springfield, MO. Justine graduated from Evangel University in Springfield with her BS in Elementary Education. Justine taught for a total of 4 years as a Public School Teacher. While teaching 3rd Grade in 2017, the Fire Department attended Career Day at her school, and right then and there, she realized that she wanted to help people in more ways than just in the classroom.

Justine enjoyed being a career Firefighter in Missouri for 6 years before moving to Florida in 2023. Justine always knew she had a deep desire to live by the Ocean again ever since she was a kid. In 2023, she took the leap of faith and moved to Florida solo (just her and her dog). Justine was on the swiftwater rescue team while working as a firefighter in Missouri and was passionate about seeing how she could further use her skills in water rescue to help people in their time of need. After Hurricane Ian, she traveled to Florida to assess the damage and was determined to move here to aid in future hurricane relief.

Since living in Florida, Justine has continued Firefighting/EMT work with Manatee County, as well as Lifeguarding and teaching swim lessons to kids 4 months-12 years of age. Justine met her husband Alan (a Sarasota native) here in Florida and recently celebrated their marriage on October 26, 2024. Together they live in Sarasota with her Labradoodle “Hali”. The couple shares a love of Kayaking, SUP Boarding, Snorkeling, jet skiing, and pretty much anything that includes the water. Justine is excited to use her previous role as an educator in this new role as “Driving Instructor” and looks forward to seeing you on the road!

Robert retired from tenured and active duty with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement agencies. Robert also taught many different safety courses and classes while employed by these different law enforcement agencies. Robert loves being able to help students reach their full potential as a safe and confident driver by using our trademarked and copyrighted driver progression program. He has worked for other driving schools (over 5 years) in this area and feels like he has finally found where he belongs with Florida West Coast Driving School. Robert has five children and several grandchildren, and he enjoys participating in and teaching martial arts in his spare time.

Maggie was born and raised in Middletown, NY, and moved to Florida in 2010. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education with a Math minor, as well as a Master of Science degree in Exercise Science. Maggie has been an educator since 1998, teaching several subjects such as P.E., Health, Secondary Early Childhood, and Parenting. She is currently a P.E. teacher at Glenallen Elementary School. She has coached several sports and has been a volunteer with the Boy Scouts for many years. Maggie has three children and resides in North Port. She is not one to sit at home and enjoys staying active. She loves listening to live music, being on or near the water, and traveling. You may also see her on the golf course as she works part-time on a local golf course and is an avid golfer.

Maggie is excited to be with Florida West Coast Driving School. She has always had a passion for helping children to learn, and prides herself on being patient, calm, and a great communicator. These are all skills that are needed when teaching young adults to drive. 

David was born and raised in southwest Florida. He earned a bachelor’s degree in science and his first master’s in curriculum and instruction from National Louis University Teachers' College in Illinois. He earned his second master’s degree in administration from the University of South Florida. He started his career in education in 2000 and has been teaching high school science since 2004. He was an assistant wrestling coach for 17 years and a head soccer coach for over 10 years at various organizations. When he had the opportunity to become a driving instructor and examiner, he jumped at the idea because of his passion for helping others learn and grow! He is married with a blended family of 7 children (6 boys and one girl) and has two granddaughters.

Wayne was born in Chicago, IL. He lived in several states and countries during his childhood/adolescence, and graduated from high school in Santiago, Chile. He graduated from Liberty University in 1994 with a major in Physical Education and a minor in Mathematics. Wayne taught and coached for two years at a private school in Miami, FL, and he has been teaching and coaching in Sarasota County since 1996. He has taught Math at Venice High and Pine View, and currently works as the Testing Coordinator at Venice High. Throughout the years, Wayne has coached various youth and high school sports, including football, soccer, and basketball. He has been the head coach of the Venice High boys’ and girls’ tennis teams for many years. Wayne and his wife have four kids and three grandchildren. He loves to spend time with family, enjoys outdoor activities, and travels as much as possible. Wayne is also fluent in Spanish, so Wayne will be your instructor if Spanish is required.