Joseph Kerski, Ph.D., GISP, Education Manager and Geographer Esri – Environmental Systems Research Institute, and University of Denver

Joseph Kerski is an educator and geographer who believes that spatial analysis with mapping and geotechnologies can transform education and society through better decision-making using the geographic perspective. He holds three degrees in Geography. He served for 22 years as geographer and cartographer at NOAA, the US Census Bureau, and the US Geological Survey. He teaches online and face-to-face courses at primary and secondary schools, through MOOCs, and universities such as Sinte Gleska University, Elmhurst University, and the University of Denver. Since 2006, he has served as Education Manager for Esri, focused on thought leadership in geospatial technologies in formal and informal education at all levels, internationally. He focuses on GIS-based curriculum development, research in the effectiveness of GIS in education, professional development for educators, communication about the need for geographic skills, tools, and perspectives through keynote addresses, articles, social media, and workshops, and fostering partnerships to support GIS in education. Joseph is active in creating and teaching online courses in spatial thinking and geotechnologies. He has written books such as Spatial Mathematics, International Perspectives on Teaching and Learning with GIS in Secondary Schools, The Essentials of the Environment, Tribal GIS, and The GIS Guide to Public Domain Data.