Glad you Found Us!

 Matt and his wife Stacey are both Montvale residents and parents of two. They have been teaching for over 20 years, and know what parents are looking for in a driving school. Matt is a High School Health, Drivers Education, and Physical Education teacher in the Union City School District. Matt has plenty of behind the wheel experience, while Stacey takes care of the business end. Matt and Stacey both take pride in providing the safest and best instruction in the area, and know how to keep kids motivated. 

 Rich received his Bachelors in Economics from Rutgers University in 2007 and Master of Arts in Teaching from New Jersey City University. He has been teaching in the public school system since 2009 as a Middle School Math teacher. Rich was born and raised in the Bergen County area and has extensive knowledge of the area. He takes great pride in helping his students succeed whether it is in the Math classroom or in the car during driving instruction. During his free time he enjoys snowboarding, spending time with his family and playing with his rescue dog Rambo.
 

Vanessa is a 2017 Montclair State University graduate who received her Bachelors in Spanish. She has been teaching in Pascack Hills High School since 2017 as a Spanish Teacher. Vanessa is originally from Morris County and through Elite has gained a lot of exposure to the Bergen County area as well. Vanessa works well with not only high school students but also with parents and she enjoys being able to be a part of the community in which she teaches in. She loves being able to spend time with her family while listening to her favorite Spotify playlist. 

Phil is a father of 2 sons and a daughter and is a resident of Emerson in Bergen County for over 25 years.  A lifetime lover of driving, Phil is very happy to have an opportunity to apply his love of driving to helping students learn good driving habits and also help them appreciate

that driving is truly a special privilege not to be taken for granted.  Phil is also a huge dog lover and a big sports fan and enjoys spending time with his family and friends.

Ryan Casey combines his Montvale roots and extensive experience in insurance as the Director of Agency Development at Insurance Partners Alliance to provide top-notch driving education. With a rich background as a Director of Admissions and Football Coach at a local Catholic High School, plus years coaching town sports, Ryan excels in building students' confidence and safety awareness on the road. His teaching philosophy emphasizes patience, focus on safety, and mastering road rules. Join Ryan for a comprehensive and engaging driving learning experience.

Chanelle Banta currently resides in Bergenfield and is a mother of one.  She is currently teaching high school health and physical education in the Bergen County Technical School District at the Paramus Campus and is the JV Boys head basketball coach. She has been teaching for nine years and coaching for over a decade. Chanelle went through the Bergenfield school system and continued her academic and basketball career and received her bachelor’s degree at Rowan University where she obtained certificates in K-12 health and physical education, Driver education, and Teacher of Students with Disabilities. Chanelle has been driving with Elite since 2018 before she moved to Colorado in 2020 for two years to teach middle school and obtained her Master’s degree in Kinesiology at Adams State University. In the summer of 2022, Chanelle moved back to New Jersey and got back to driving with the best of the best! She loves being able to help students learn an exciting life skill that can literally take them places! Chanelle also enjoys recreational sports, summers off, and spending time with her family and pets. 

Patrick is a dedicated father of two, who finds joy and fulfillment in both his family and career. As a full-time city letter carrier with the United States Postal Service, he has committed himself to serving his community, ensuring that mail is delivered efficiently and reliably. With an Associate’s degree in science, Patrick values education and continuous learning, which he applies not only in his professional life but also in his role as a parent. He believes in nurturing curiosity and resilience in his children, encouraging them to explore their interests and chase their dreams. Outside of work and family life, Patrick enjoys spending his free time outdoors, fostering a love for nature in his kids, and engaging in sports activities.

Juan received his Bachelor’s of Science in Criminal Justice and minor in Psychology. He currently lives with his wife and two children in Bergen County. He has over 20 years of experience working in Public Administration. He is dedicated to teaching new driver’s how be confident, comfortable, and safe in a vehicle. His hobbies consist of family time, reading, and watching movies.