About Us


The mission of Cornhusker Driving School is to ensure driving excellence while meeting the unique needs of all learners. After successfully completing this course, students will demonstrate competency in understanding the principles of safe driving such as defensive driving, traffic controls, pavement markings, right of way, lane changing, effects of alcohol and other drugs, distractions, licensing process, and so much more!!  Students will learn to drive with proactive driving skills that help them recognize problems in the driving scene and make decisions regarding the practices of other drivers. This education will enable them with the skills necessary to function safely in a complex driving environment.


Meet
Our Instructors

Dr. Pat Venditte - Founder

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Patrick Venditte Ed.D graduated from Peru State Teachers College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. He received his Masters and Specialist Degree in Education at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and his Specialist Degree in Gerontology and a Doctorate in Education at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Dr. Venditte has taught classroom, simulator, driving range and behind the wheel driving. Since 1966, he has instructed more than 6,000 students in driver safety training. He continues to teach Driver Education at several Omaha schools as well as his own private classes through Cornhusker Driving School.


Mr. Todd Porter - Instructor

Todd received his certification at Emporia State University in Kansas in 1996 and has been teaching Driver's Education for over 25 years. He retired from Bellevue East High School after 40 years of teaching history and coaching wrestling. He retired in 2022 and is a Hall of Fame wrestling coach. He enjoys traveling and loves to be on the water, snow skiing, baseball, golf, and reading. He has for children Trey, Aston, Johnny, Haley, and loves spending time with his wife Betsy. 


Mr. Tony Venditte - Instructor

Tony graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha with a Bachelor's of Science Degree. He is a former Douglas County Deputy Sheriff and has been working at Cornhusker Driving School for over 30 years. He is licensed with the State of Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles, and certified with the State of Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center. Mr. Venditte teaches both classroom and behind the wheel driving instruction.


Mr. LaMon Marion - Instructor

Mr. LaMon Marion received his Driver’s Education Endorsement through University of Nebraska Kearney and has been teaching Driver's Education since 2000. In addition to his Driver's Education Endorsement he is also is certified by the State of Nebraska to do senior citizen evaluation. Mr. Marion worked with Immunel Hospital in their Rehab Department for many years helping patients get back behind the wheel. He enjoys bowling in his spare time and has even scored a perfect game. Mr. Marion is a volunteer for Muddy Paw Second Chance Rescue.


Mr. Jimmy Chavez - Instructor


Jimmy is originally from Alaska and grew up in places such as Georgia and Texas. He came to Nebraska with his wife and children in 2008 when he was Stationed at Offutt AFB. He retired from military service in 2018 and made Nebraska his home. After retiring from the Air Force, Jimmy devoted his time to being both a certified bowling coach and a shooting range safety officer and continues to do so to this day. He later received his Driver's Education certification through Lincoln Southeast Community College. As an avid motorcycle rider, he appreciates the good drivers out there on the road. 


Mr. Joe Venditte - Instructor

Mr. Joseph Venditte received his Driver Education certification from Southeast Community College. He holds a Master’s Degree in Organization Management and Economic Development from Peru State College. Joe has an extensive police and military background and has taught at the elementary, high school, and adult education level.


Mrs. Jennifer Otten - Instructor

Mrs. Jennifer Otten received her Driver's Education certification from UNK. She has taught Driver's Education for over 20 years in Kansas and Nebraska both in the classroom and behind-the-wheel. She joined Cornhusker Driving School in 2018. Mrs. Otten is also an elementary music teacher for Elkhorn Public Schools. 


Mr. Jared Andersen - Instructor

Mr. Jared Andersen is in his 15th year being Special Education teacher and coach in the Omaha Public School district (Omaha Bryan 2004-2013 & Omaha North 2013-present). Mr. Andersen is currently the Varsity Boys and Girls Tennis coach at North High. Mr. Andersen has 2 great kids (Vanna & Mack) to keep him busy with sports and activities.  This is Mr. Andersen's second year being a behind the wheel instructor for Cornhusker Driving School.  


Miss Katy Venditte - Instructor

Miss Katy Venditte received her Driver Education certification from Southeast Community College. She graduated from Creighton University with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration as well as a Masters Degree in Elementary Education. Katy works in the Omaha Public School District full time as a 2nd grade teacher and will be going into her 4th year of teaching. She is looking forward to teaching Driver Education in her spare time.


Anna Diederich - Instructor

Anna  graduated from Creighton University with a Bachelor's of Science in Journalism-Public Relations. She traveled for the USGA doing Marketing and Public Relations for their major golf tournaments. She returned to Omaha to take over the day to day operations of the driving school. In addition to her Driver Education certifications she is also certified in Child Passenger Safety (CPS). She has been working as a classroom and behind the wheel instructor since 2014. 


Mr. Larry Kirstein - Instructor

Larry Kirstein grew up in central Iowa, received his BSBA from Drake University, then embarked on a 38 year railroad career in dispatch centers.  After retiring in 2017, he received his Driver's Education certification through Lincoln Southeast Community College, and has been with Cornhusker Driving school since 2018.  He especially likes to mentor young drivers on the specific safety aspects of railroad crossings and also pedestrian crossings.  He is married with two adult children, and enjoys amateur radio, bicycling and railroad history.


Mr. Jason Collins - Instructor


Mr. Jason Collins received his Driver Education Certification from Southeast Community College. He graduated from Bellevue University with a Bachelors Degree in Security Management and is currently working on IT certifications through CompTIA. Mr. Collins works full time at Offutt AFB and is a 2nd Lieutenant Signals Officer with the Nebraska Army National Guard serving as the Batallion Communications and Saftey Officer. He loves spending his free time with his daughter. Mr. Collins is looking forward to preparing your student for their new life on the road. Safety first, arrive alive always.