ROCKY ROAD DRIVING SCHOOL, LLC.
MEET OUR TEAM
MIKE & ANGIE MCCRADY
Owners
Mike McCrady founded Rocky Road in November of 2008 and was a full time educator at Rocky Mountain High School where he taught Concurrent
Credit Sophomore US History since the late 90's, and driver’s education in the Treasure Valley, both publicly & privately, since 2001. He also coached successful football, softball, golf and girl's lacrosse sports teams for Centennial, Mountain View and Rocky Mountain, including his daughter's teams, earning several Coach of the Year awards in various sports as well as Teacher of the Year at Rocky Mountain High School before he was even 40 years old. His driver's ed philosophy was that student drivers need to be engaged throughout the entire driving and observation process. He designed our program such that all students would encounter as many driving situations as possible during their education, and take part in meaningful dialogue about those situations. His family meant the world to him and by teaching students driver education through his own school, he could personally guarantee that we would all be teaching your son or daughter in a manner that would continue to keep both his family and yours safe on the road.
Tragically for us, Mike was called home to heaven on September 8, 2021, leaving behind his wife, Angie and their two daughters, Raegan & Kyra. Our Pops, as Mike called him (better known as "Senior Mac" to all Mike's student athletes), tells everyone that although heartbroken by the loss of his son and best friend, he is grateful to be so inspired by the fact that Mike experienced and accomplished more in his short 45 years of life on earth than most people do in a lifetime. Those who knew Mike can testify to that, as he truly lived out his faith in a way that emulated his favorite Bible verse, Acts 20:24, which we found listed as his Senior Memoir in his Centennial High School Yearbook from 1994. Mike was always a difference maker in every place we ever lived from his youth through adulthood. It was evident in his teaching and coaching careers, but most of all through his daily example. His devotion to God, family and loving others inspired us all to do the same. Everyone who had the privilege of knowing Mike McCrady will never forget the impact he made on their lives. Mike was a rare soul, a real life Captain America, and he will never be forgotten.
We will forever love, cherish and honor Michael Cullen "McCr80" as his legacy lives on through all of us.
" Mike is still steering us straight, just from a different location...
no matter the direction we take, we know it's the right one."
~ Erica Miller, Friend & Parent of former Rocky Road students 1-13-22
ALLISON TILDEN
Managing Director
Senior Instructor - Adults/Special Needs
As Mike's one and only sister, I have had the privilege of calling him my best friend since we were kids and I'm so glad I let him talk me into joining the Rocky Road family in September of 2010. He inspired and encouraged me to pursue a full-time teaching career as a secondary level substitute for the West Ada School District from 2007-2022. Teaching teens easily became my passion. In the biography he once wrote for me, Mike described me as a devoted wife & mother of two beautiful children of my own as well as a foster son who joined our family in 2016. He said I have a nurturing spirit and fun-loving personality that makes the beginner driver’s experience a smooth transition for all skill levels of students. Mike trained me to take on the managerial duties in September of 2020. Little did I know that one year later I would be handling all aspects of running the business for Mike's wife Angie and their girls due to his passing. I am committed more than ever to keeping our instructors and students rolling through to the finish line and continuing to drive students as needed. It has been a great honor and blessing to be a part of this family business for all these years and I am so grateful for the time Mike spent teaching me everything I need to know about life through drivers ed.
HANNA MCGEE
General Manager
Hanna (pronounced Hauna) joined the Rocky Road team in May 2024 from Caldwell, a native Idahoan, bringing her experience as a former business owner to our staff. Her seamless transition into her role has been a much-needed addition to our team. As a dedicated wife and mother of two teenagers, Hanna enjoys spending time with her family attending her kids sports activities, playing tennis and exploring the many wonderful places that make Idaho such a great place to live and work. She excels at finding solutions that meet our customers' needs and treats them like family. Hanna has consistently proven her ability to manage the office smoothly, ensuring that our instructors have the support they need when working with students. She has been a very welcomed extension of the Rocky Road family, and we look forward to her continued excellence as she serves our students and their families with a smile.
KRISTIN GALLOWAY
Instructor - Mountain View
Kristin has been best friends with Mike since their early teaching days at Centennial High School. They enjoyed each other's company so well that they transferred to Mountain View when it opened in 2003 and together they created one of the most popular classes at MVHS, American Character. It is an innovative class that combines 11th grade English & U.S. History together through experiential learning. Their style of team-teaching is still unmatched, making perfect sense of why Mike recruited her to be the Rocky Road classroom instructor in 2009. She has been teaching for over 25 years and was honored as Teacher of the Year in 2004. She is still at MVHS and now teaches Junior English and Concurrent Credit Composition 101. She is an amazing storyteller, and our students tell us they feel privileged to experience her engaging and exciting teaching style during their behind the wheel training. Although her own two boys are fully grown, making her an empty nester, we know her teaching profession and her big momma's heart has equipped her with all the perfect qualities that make her an outstanding driver's ed instructor.
LEXIE SEAMONS
Instructor - Rocky Mountain
Lexie is a former Rocky Road student of Allison and TA for Mike at Rocky Mountain. She quickly became like a daughter to both of them and recruited heavily early on for her natural gift of teaching, servant's heart and tender spirit. After years of badgering her to officially join the family, she came to Rocky Road in 2019, shortly after she finished her college degree from Boise State. Lexie has a passion for country music, going to concerts and playing with her sweet mini doodle, Lady. Don't let her youthful looks deceive you, she is more mature than most adults and we have been told by many that she has the patience of Job with the perfect countenance and demeanor for students of all ages and skill levels, especially those with high anxiety and other special needs. She was made for this job, so we are extremely grateful she decided to give in to Mike's prodding when she did. We know you'll love her as much as we do.
NICHOLE FLORES
Scheduling Coordinator & Instructor - Meridian
Nichole Flores is a former elementary school teacher in the Boise School District for over 20 years. She was inspired to join our Rocky Road team in 2021 shortly after her son finished his drivers education with Jeff Knight. She has loved the outlet it provides to do what she enjoys most, which is helping others reach their potential. We immediately noticed how great she was with students and parents alike, so we wasted no time putting her exemplary customer service skills to work as our Scheduling Coordinator. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, son, two daughters & their husbands. They all love being active together as much as possible doing everything from outdoor sporting activities to plenty of game nights. Her many years of experience raising and teaching children have molded her calm, nurturing demeanor in the car that make even the most nervous student feel confident. She looks forward to meeting all her future student drivers and has quickly become a valuable asset to Rocky Road.
EMILEE CROFTS
Instructor - Mountain View
Emilee is a dedicated mother of five and has been a beloved high school substitute teacher at Mountain View High School for nearly 15 years. She became a driver's education instructor in 2012, thanks to the encouragement of staff member and best friend, Allison Tilden. Emilee has a natural affinity for working with teens and has consistently been a valuable part-time member of our staff. She is always ready to help meet our demand whenever needed, while also managing her large household. Now an empty nester, Emilee enjoys going to the gym and spending time doting on her beloved puppies, Pepper and Pandora. Our students love Emilee's fun-loving and enthusiastic personality, combined with her calm and nurturing teaching style. Though she has taken some time off from driving in recent years, we are always grateful whenever she commits to teaching our Rocky Road students—and they are too.
LESLEY COSTNER
Instructor - West Treasure Valley Extension
Lesley hails from Payette, Idaho and has been a much appreciated addition to our Rocky Road team since September of 2020. Although she primarily spends her time running her own drivers ed business in Payette, she still manages to lend us a hand as our West Treasure Valley extension of Rocky Road. She has a very friendly personality and a fun, lighthearted teaching style in the car that makes even the most nervous students feel at ease. Lesley has a background in the restaurant service industry as well as special education and 911 dispatch so she's certainly got what it takes to handle the stresses that often arise with teenagers behind the wheel for the first time. When not driving students, she enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 beautiful daughters and being Grandmother to her first grandson in 2022. She also loves being a part of the tight-knit community of Payette & Fruitland where she has proudly become the owner of We Dream Ice Cream. We are so delighted to still have her as part of our team.
LEIDIS SHIPLEY
Instructor - Rocky Mountain
We are thrilled to introduce Leidis Shipley who is originally from Maracaibo, Venezuela. Leidis brings a unique blend of warmth and expertise to our driving school. Her journey with us began in the summer of 2019 when she met Allison Tilden during private lessons and within a few short years became our Spanish interpreter. In the summer of 2023, she joined Rocky Road seeking a part-time job with a flexible schedule. However, she quickly discovered a passion for teaching and decided to become a dedicated full-time instructor in the summer of 2024. Her commitment to her students is evident in her patient, kind approach and her ability to make learning to drive an enjoyable experience. Leidis strives to connect with each student, often sharing laughter and stories that create a welcoming learning environment. Outside of her role as a driving instructor, Leidis is a devoted wife and mother. She cherishes winter for the opportunity it brings to go snowboarding with her family. During the other seasons, she enjoys embarking on road trips to explore the scenic beauty of Idaho. Leidis is more than an instructor—she is now an integral part of our community, and we are fortunate to have her.
Monica Fredericksen
Office Assistant & Instructor - Centennial
Monica has been a long-time family friend of the McCrady and Tilden families, and we were thrilled to welcome her to the Rocky Road team in the fall of 2024. When Monica mentioned she was seeking a career change, Allison immediately recognized that she would be the perfect fit for our team. With her background as a high school volleyball coach, substitute teacher, wife and mother of four (and now a proud grandmother of five), Monica has seamlessly transitioned into the role of a driver's education instructor. Her adaptability and dependability shine through, no matter the skill level of her students. Monica's ability to put parents' minds at ease is evident in the number of repeat customers and referrals she has garnered in her short time with us. Monica takes a no-nonsense approach to teaching and enjoys helping parents navigate the exciting world of teen driving. Her readiness to be a team player is highly valued, whether she's assisting in the office or taking on the occasional adult student. In her free time, Monica loves running with her two dogs and going on hikes with her husband. She truly appreciates the value of Idaho living and embraces it at every opportunity. We are grateful to have Monica as a wonderful addition to our Rocky Road family and our students.
CRAIG DAYTON
Instructor - Owyhee
Craig joined the Rocky Road team in the summer of 2023 and has quickly become one of our most valued members. With a full-time career as a middle school math and art teacher, Craig brings years of experience and dedication to education. He is also the girls' basketball coach in Kuna, where he has made a significant impact. Before joining us, Craig spent several years as a missionary in Papua New Guinea, demonstrating his commitment to service and community. His charismatic teaching style and passion for helping others have made him an outstanding addition to our team, reminiscent of the enthusiasm and dedication that Mike once brought to his students. A proud husband and father, Craig cherishes his role as a dad to two young daughters who are the apple of his eye. An Idaho native, he is an avid outdoorsman and hunter, deeply connected to the land and community. Craig has settled in beautifully into his new role at Owyhee High School, where he is a wonderful instructor with the perfect temperament for guiding our students. We are truly grateful to have him as part of the Rocky Road family.
BRENDAN MALLOY
Instructor - Owyhee
Brendan is the newest addition to our Rocky Road team, and he has quickly become an integral part of the group. Known for his exuberant personality and exceptional rapport with teens, Brendan teaches with passion and enthusiasm.
He was referred to us by his friend and colleague, Jeff Knight, from Owyhee High School. It's no surprise they are friends, given how closely Brendan's personality and character traits mirror those of Mike. With a background as a husband, father of two, English teacher and coach, Brendan also enjoys coaching the speech and debate team at Owyhee. Brendan's wit and ability to relate to teen drivers of all skill levels have made him a favorite among our students. We are excited to have him as part of the Rocky Road family and look forward to many years of his positive impact.