Author: Linda Ann Azarela

Linda Azarela has been a certified driver’s education instructor through the Illinois Secretary of State’s office for over twenty-seven years, earning her certification from Oakton College in Des Plaines, Illinois. She has taught over 8, 500 teenagers and over 600 adults to drive. She has trained many other driver education teachers from other schools the fine art of instructing teenagers. She was voted Teacher of the Year in 1997 by the students of several local high schools, earning her a plaque and a story in the local newspaper. Linda currently owns and operates Azarela Driving School in West Dundee and Elgin, Illinois. She formerly owned A-Tri-County Driving School in East Dundee, Illinois, from its inception in 1984 to its sale in 2000. At that time, Linda’s husband had become ill and she was needed at home. Being at home, she also became the caregiver for her three grandchildren. During this time, Linda continued to teach behind-the wheel and classroom through A-Tri-County until 2007. At that time, since the grandchildren were now older and in school, she decided to open and operate her own school again. Previously from South Barrington, Illinois, Linda currently lives in Mc Henry, Illinois, both far northwest suburbs of Chicago. She has two adult children, Heather, a phlebotomist, wife, and mother of three, and Blake, a champion swimmer (an Olympics qualifier) and businessman. Linda enjoys ballroom dancing and karaoke, and is a second-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Using this knowledge, Linda gives her teen students a brief demonstration on how to defend themselves if they become involved in a road rage situation. She also gives free monthly self-defense classes to business women throughout the surrounding communities.