Meet Our Staff

Instructor

🚗 Meet Julie Russell (formerly Brennan) – A dedicated instructor at NextGen Driving School! 👋

Julie is a Physical Education and Driver's Ed teacher at Lenape Valley Regional High School and brings her expertise to the road! 🚙 After joining DG Driving School in 2017 as an office secretary, Julie transitioned to a driving instructor and has been guiding students for 6 years with a unique blend of patience and skill.

Her coaching experience in tennis, basketball, and softball gives Julie the perfect tools to motivate and encourage students both in the car and out on the court! 🎾🏀⚾

Julie’s special education certification allows her to implement a wide range of strategies to help students with special needs. Whether in the classroom or behind the wheel, Julie is dedicated to helping every student succeed. 💡✨

When she’s not teaching, Julie enjoys spending time with her husband and their adorable Bernese Mountain Dog, Bailey! 🐶

We’re proud to have Julie as part of the NextGen team, helping our students develop confidence and skill on the road!

Instructor

🚗 Meet Kelcey Russo (formerly Brennan) – One of our amazing instructors here at NextGen Driving School! 👋

Kelcey is not just any instructor—she brings years of valuable experience from both behind the wheel and in the classroom. 📚 A math teacher at Hopatcong High School, Kelcey began her journey in the driving school world back in 2015 as an office secretary at DG Driving School. After six years of teaching on the road, she now combines her driving knowledge with her leadership skills to provide the best possible experience for her students.

Her background in coaching field hockey, soccer, basketball, and softball gives her the perfect skills to guide your child with patience and confidence—just like she does on the field! 🏀⚽🏒

Outside of work, Kelcey is a loving wife and proud mother to a beautiful baby girl. Her motherly instincts make her incredibly patient and help create a stress-free, positive learning environment for all of her students. 👶💖

We are so lucky to have Kelcey on our team, helping our next generation of drivers get on the road safely and confidently. 🚙💨

Office Manager

🚗💥 Meet Christy Brennan! 💥🚗

Christy is young, fresh, and passionate about helping you become the best driver you can be! 🚙 With a strong background in driving school operations—having worked with us and DG Driving School—she knows exactly what it takes to succeed on the road.

Currently attending Kean University, Christy is on track to become a certified Physical Education teacher with a specialization in Driver’s Education. 🎓

Alongside her education, Christy also coaches at Just Driven Athletics, bringing her coaching expertise and positive attitude into every lesson! 🏋️‍♀️

With her teaching, coaching, and driving school experience, Christy is the perfect fit to help you drive with confidence and skill! 🛣️

Welcome to the team, Christy! Let’s hit the road! 🏁

Instructor

🚗 Meet Rylan Pangborn! 🚗  

NextGen is beyond excited to introduce our newest driving instructor, Rylan Pangborn! 🏫 

Rylan is a proud alumnus of Lenape Valley Regional High School and has spent years giving back to the community as a physical education and drivers education teacher. 🥎He’s also the coach for LVRHS football and softball, and the founder of the Pangborn Passing Academy. 🏈  

Rylan is passionate about helping students not only succeed in the classroom but also behind the wheel! He’s ready to bring his energy, expertise, and enthusiasm to every lesson as he guides new drivers to safety and confidence on the road. 🚙💨  

Get ready to learn from the best! Let’s drive with Rylan! 👏

Instructor

🚗 **Meet Mike Yanko!** 🚗  

We’re excited to introduce Mike, a retired Sergeant from the Sussex County Sheriff’s Department, who knows the rules of the road better than anyone. With his years of coaching experience in the Hopatcong Warriors football program, Mike brings the perfect blend of discipline and patience to the driver’s seat! 🏈⚡  

Mike's availability during the day makes him the perfect fit for students who need to take their road test, and he’s passionate about shaping safe, responsible, and knowledgeable drivers. 👏  

When he’s not teaching the next generation of drivers, Mike spends time with his wife, who works in the guidance department at Hopatcong High School, and their two kids. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦  

Get ready to learn from the best—Mike’s ready to help YOU succeed behind the wheel! 🚘💨