A mid-life career shift has put Paula Hill-Coulson in the driver’s seat. Actually, Hill-Coulson is in the passenger’s seat, as an MTO Driving Instructor.
Paula’s Driving School is a Ministry of Transportation approved driving school that opened in March of this year. And Hill-Coulson is loving the ride.
“I am a born and bred Orillian. I moved away to go to school for a few years but returned to marry and start a family, and never left again. I was a certified reflexologist for Orillia Wellness Clinic but unfortunately arthritis in my hands got the best of me, and I had to look for another career,” explained Hill-Coulson.
She continued, “My daughter came home from her driving lesson one day and said they were looking for driving instructors. She said, ‘You could do that, Mom.’ And I thought, you know, I could. I taught my kids how to drive, I like teaching kids. I did a couple of drive alongs and talked to other driving instructors in Orillia and then I enrolled in the course and became certified in 2018. I worked for another agency in Orillia and then this year decided to go out on my own. I love what I do.”
Hill-Coulson also ran for council in the last election, and is a dedicated Rotarian. “I love helping my community and I love teaching people to be safe drivers,” she said.
Hill-Coulson teaches all ages and abilities of drivers, from teenagers up to adults. “Some of my students are attending university or college here. Coming from big cities or even from out of the country, they didn’t need to know how to drive, but moving to a small town with limited transportation options they are realizing they need to drive and have a car.”
The majority of Hill-Coulson’s students are teenagers, however. “I love that age. They are so full of hopes and dreams,” she said.
In addition to teaching her students the rules of the road, and giving them the tools to pass their driving tests, Hill-Coulson teaches her students to be safe and courteous drivers. She helps them navigate booking their final tests, and her school offers the Beginner Driver Education course that gives successful students a discount on their insurance. Successful completion of the BDE course allows students to receive a discount on their insurance rates with companies that offer it.
“I offer a refresher lesson for those taking their G license, so we can make sure they haven’t picked up any bad habits in their driving that would affect them passing,” said Hill-Coulson. She also offers rental of the school vehicle for the road test, for students that would like it. “My car is a Ford Fusion, a little bigger than some of the other schools use, but I think it’s good for the students to learn to drive something that is more the size of the SUV or truck that their parents might own and that they would be using at home.” Of course, the car has dual brakes and extra mirrors so the instructor can keep an eye on things.
“I just want to let everyone in Orillia know that I am here, I am working for myself, and I am open for business,” said Hill-Coulson. “Bring me your teenagers and I will teach them to be good citizens on the road.”
Contact Hill-Coulson at [email protected] or by phone at 705-331-8800. Or visit her on Facebook here.