Our Staff

Dorri Sanders, Owner

Dorri was born and raised in Tappahannock where she still lives with her family.  She received her Bachelor's Degree from James Madison University in 2002.  Dorri has been a physical education teacher for over 20 years.   She began teaching for DESVA in December of 2023.

Ken Chatham, Owner

Mr. Chatham has been instructing Driver Education for over 50 years and has received many educational awards. He has been recognized as Teacher Of The Year four times and was the 1993 Virginia Regional Teacher Of The Year. Mr. Chatham received his Bachelor's Degree in Education from the College of William & Mary in 1973 prior to receiving his Master's Degree in Sports Medicine in 1982 from the University of Virginia. He was the very first Driver Improvement Program Instructor certified by AAA of Tidewater to teach Driver Improvement Programs outside of their facility. He was a charter member of the Montross Volunteer Rescue Squad and currently sits on the Board of Directors. He has also served on the Airport Authority for the Tappahannock-Essex County Airport.

 Ken Chatham, II

Mr. Chatham, II joined the Driver Education School of Virginia in 2007 and instructs High School Classroom, Behind-The-Wheel, DMV Required Re-Test Classes, and Driver Manual Courses. He is one of only about 50 instructors in Virginia licensed to teach the commercial driver improvement program. Mr. Chatham, II obtained Driver Education Instructor Certification from the #1 ranked University in the United States for Driver Education and also graduated from the #1 ranked Aviation University in the World, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, in 2006. He holds an Airline Transport Pilot license and has flown all across the United States (including Alaska) and Canada. In his spare time he enjoys volunteering to fly Angel Flights for children and adults and Young Eagles. Both Mr. Chatham and Mr. Chatham, II were in the House & Home Magazine in the February/March 2014 edition in the article 'Angels With Metal Wings'