2019 Western Region Educator of the Year Award Winner
Lieutenant Jesse Gehrt, of the
Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT), has been named the
2019 Western Region Educator of the Year.
Lt. Jesse Gehrt began his career with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism in 2005. In 2015, Gehrt was selected for one of the Boating Specialist positions in the northeastern portion of the state and in 2017 he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.
Lt. Gehrt’s unique ability to communicate with water safety advocates led to the incorporation of the NASBLA-Approved Boating Safety Education Course as a part of the course curriculum for the Park Management and Resource degree from Kansas State University. Gehrt teaches hourly segments of this course throughout the semester to ensure that this requirement is met.
Lt. Gehrt is also sought after for his instruction for KDWPT law enforcement staff and other agencies as well. Lt. Gehrt is a NASBLA certified instructor for courses in BUI Standardized Field Sobriety Tests and Seated Battery, KDWPT’s Airboat and Vessel Operation , Side Scan Sonar , Officer Water Survival and more. Additionally, Lt. Gehrt serves as one of the few Boating Education Regional Coordinators in Kansas.
Lt. Gehrt’s focus, drive and experience in educating the boating public makes him a valuable asset to the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism and the recreational boating community. Congratulations Lt. Jesse Gehrt!
Generously sponsored by Fresh Air Educators, and Kalkomey Enterprises, Inc., the Boating Educator of the Year Award was launched by NASBLA in 2011 to recognize those who go above to engage students and boaters, raise awareness, and make boating education initiatives relevant, thorough and exciting.
The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators is a national nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization that works to develop public policy for recreational boating safety. NASBLA represents the recreational boating authorities of all 50 states and the U.S. territories. We offer a variety of resources, including training, model acts, education standards, publications and more. Through a national network of thousands of professional educators, law enforcement officers and volunteers, we affect the lives of over 76 million American boaters.