From Anxious Driver to Confident Trucker: Angela Newton Finds Confidence at Amarillo College

Angela Newton once felt anxious behind the wheel. Today, she is preparing to take on the road as a commercial truck driver – and already looking ahead to her next set of career opportunities.

Newton recently completed the first certificate in Amarillo College’s Professional Truck Operations program, overcoming challenges that initially made her question whether she could finish the course.

“I was really worried I wasn't going to be able to handle it,” Newton said. “But surprisingly, I had the time to do it, and I made it this far.”

Newton works from 4 a.m. to 3 p.m., so finding a way to balance work, school and family was one of her biggest concerns. AC’s evening truck-driving classes, held from 5:30 to 10 p.m., made it possible for her to pursue the training while maintaining her work schedule.

The coursework itself presented another challenge.

Newton tells AC how intimidating a manual transmission was at first. She struggled to find the correct gears while learning to double-clutch, sometimes grinding the gears as she practiced.

“But once I got used to driving, I was able to find the correct gears,” she said. “I was able to downshift, and it gave me the confidence I needed to be able to go forward with class.”

One of the most difficult parts of the program was mastering the pre-trip and in-cab inspections required to safely operate a commercial vehicle.

“There was so much to actually comprehend,” Newton said. “It took me quite some time to learn it, but once I got my hands on it, I was able to.”

After several months of practice, Newton had memorized everything she needed to know to pass her test – an accomplishment she says she is particularly proud of.

She also credits the support of her instructors and classmates with helping her succeed.

Her instructors, Joshua Cerda, Jr. and Malcolm Reynolds encouraged her throughout the program and helped build the confidence she needed to keep going. Newton also appreciated the camaraderie among the four students who trained together in the same truck.

“We all kind of helped each other through the whole process,” she said.

“Angela’s story is a great example of what can happen when a student is willing to push through the challenges and keep learning,” said Tony Diaz, coordinator of AC’s Professional Truck Operations program. “Commercial truck driving requires technical skills, confidence and a commitment to safety, and Angela worked hard to develop all three. We’re proud of what she has accomplished and excited to see where her new skills take her.”

Newton said the experience has changed more than her driving skills. It has changed how she sees herself and what she believes she can accomplish.

“I now know that I could accomplish going to school and getting through classes and making the time for them,” she said. “It kind of helped me to open myself up a bit to the world.”

Now Newton is already working toward additional commercial driver’s license endorsements, including hazardous materials and doubles and triples. She plans to take the hazmat test soon and eventually pursue the doubles-and-triples endorsement.

Those additional credentials could open the door to more job opportunities as she continues building her career.

Newton said AC also prepared her for the realities of driving professionally, including traveling longer distances and operating in different weather conditions. Training included driving through storms and other challenging conditions.

Most of all, she said, she is grateful to the AC faculty and staff who helped her reach this point.

“It’s meant a whole lot, actually,” Newton said. “Without them, I wouldn't have been able to succeed.”