Waldo Matthews (Teacher)
Driver’s Education: Teacher Dilemma
By Phil Clarke Class of l970
Mr. Waldo Matthews was the focus of a dilemma during the school year, 1968-69, as the Colonel White HS Driver’s Education teacher. He always seemed to be running late. From what I recall, he was also in the real estate business.
Anyway, on a very nice autumn day the class began as usual. Mr. Matthews announced that we were going to drive the almost-new 1969 Pontiac Bonneville Driver’s Ed car. With a 400 cubic inch engine, automatic transmission and beautiful interior, two other students and I were eager to go.
Mr. Matthews asked who wanted to drive first. I couldn’t wait for an invitation like that, so I slid into the driver’s seat. Mr. Matthews was in the front passenger seat. The two other students climbed into the back seat. Mr. M turned the radio on—WING: Steve Kirk in the Morning. Mr. Matthews informed us that we were going to drive on I-75 southbound. That made my heart jump with excitement! At that time I-75 construction was not finished (is it ever?), but the traffic was very, very light. While I cruised down the highway, Mr. M was relaxed and started to grade a big stack of test papers.
Everything was going great so I gently pressed the gas pedal to accelerate our speed. Mr. Matthews was so engrossed in grading his papers that he didn’t notice. So I accelerated a little more. About 30 minutes later, a funny little song came on the radio—Hot Rod Lincoln. Mr. Matthews glanced up and saw the next exit sign: Middletown! He began talking to himself out loud. He was rehearsing to himself what the principal had warned him: don’t be late to class and get the students back from their driving lessons on time!
Considering the distance we had traveled, in no way could we have gotten back in time for our next class. He doesn’t want to get a speeding ticket on I-75 because then he would really be in trouble. Plus, he knew I was driving at least 90 mph. What a dilemma! I said to him, “It was my fault for getting you into this mess. Our best solution is to let me drive back. If I get pulled over and ticketed, no one will get in trouble.”
We exited the highway and while driving down the road, Mr. Matthews turned to the students in the back seat and asked, “Is the plan was okay with you?” They answered, “GO FOR IT!” Mr. Matthews said, “Go ahead and drive and I’ll try to finish grading these papers!”
Driving northbound on I-75 to Salem Avenue, to Wabash Avenue, we arrived just in time for the next class. That grading semester I received a “B” on my report card for Driver’s Ed. Mr. Matthews never let me drive on I-75 after that, but whenever he saw me coming down the hallway at CW, he would raise his index finger above his head with a grin, make a circling motion (indicating flashing lights and a siren blaring).
I have been driving now for 40 years and have only received one speeding ticket in all that time. On December 26 I was on my way to get some milk and bread. From the top of Hillcrest Avenue, I coasted down to Main Street. At the bottom of the hill was an unmarked cruiser. He clocked me doing 38 mph in a 30-mph zone. The Dayton police officer’s name? Matthews! Amazing, isn’t it!
