Bill Brooke has taught countless students of all ages. He holds a doctorate degree in administration of physical education, and for years, he taught at the secondary and collegiate level.

At 77, he’s retired from formal teaching and lives in Fairhope. But even though Brooke doesn’t go to a classroom every day, he just can’t stop teaching. That’s why he volunteered to teach the AARP Mature Driving Program seven years ago, he said. The program consists of one to two days of instruction, and they are held throughout the year at both the James P. Nix Center and Homestead Village.

“When I tell them my background and introduce myself to the class, I say, ‘You might be wondering why I do this,’” he said. “I tell them that I firmly believe that what we do is saving lives.”

The hundreds of seniors Brooke has instructed seem to always leave the class with new knowledge, he said.

I’ve had feedback that have indicated that there was some value that they got out of the class,” Brooke said. “I’ve had long-haul truckers that have come up to me and said, ‘I came in this class knowing you couldn’t teach me a thing about driving—I spent my whole life on the road. But I want you to know, I learned a few things.’”

Brooke emphasizes a few specific points when he teaches the driving classes.

The most important thing for seniors to remember while driving is to always be aware and check their mirrors for other drivers on the road who are going too fast, tailgating or engaging in other dangerous driving habits.

“Eventually it’s going to save you a great deal of grievance,” he tells them.

Having a background in physical education, Brook also spends a portion of the class instructing other seniors about how staying active and flexible can help keep them safe while driving.

“Because of my athletic background and because I exercise, it helps my reaction time,” he said. “I tell them they need to get into an exercise program. I think that’s another point that has been helpful.”

Although Brooke tells the seniors in his classes that a good walking program or the exercise activities offered at the Nix Center are plenty of exercise, he goes above and beyond in that area of his own life.

“You need to practice what you preach, I don’t care what it is,” he said. “In order to be successful, whether you’re administrating a business or a class, you have to have some credibility. If I wasn’t active, then I would have no credibility.”

Brooke exercises regularly and is also a member of the Pointe Clear Tennis and Swim Club, where he plays competitive tennis with much younger men.

“I play with a very high-level group,” he said. “My age shocks everybody. Typically, the younger they are, the more amazed they are. One of them will say, ‘Do you mind asking me how old you are?’ and I’ll say, ‘How old do you think I am?’ When I tell them my real age, they’re shocked that they lost to somebody so old.”

For more information about AARP’s Mature Driving Program, contact the Nix Center at 251-928-2835 or Homestead Village at 251-929-0250.