Join us for an inspiring conversation with Joseph Kerski, a geographer, educator, and GIS advocate whose lifelong passion for mapping and spatial thinking has empowered countless students and educators.
“Ask the questions no one else is asking—those are the questions that will change the world.”
From creating maps as a child to authoring books like Teaching Mathematics with Interactive Mapping, Joseph shares how GIS can transform education and tackle real-world challenges like urban planning and environmental sustainability. Reflecting on setbacks and growth, he reveals the resilience and humility needed to thrive in the ever-evolving GIS field. “GIS is not just about tools; it’s about building a more equitable, sustainable world,” Joseph explains. Don’t miss this episode!
P.A.T.H.
Passion
Joseph Kerski’s passion for GIS is palpable, rooted deeply in a childhood love for mapping landscapes and exploring the natural world. He reminisced about creating his own maps as a child, plotting rivers and cataloging observations like fish locations, which shaped his lifelong curiosity about spatial connections. His enthusiasm extends to fostering spatial literacy in others, emphasizing the transformative power of GIS. “GIS is not just about tools; it’s about building a more equitable, sustainable world,” Joseph shared. His energy inspires educators and students alike, as he believes deeply in the potential of geospatial thinking to solve real-world problems.
Action
Joseph exemplifies action by bringing GIS into education in meaningful ways. He has authored books like Teaching Mathematics with Interactive Mapping, designed to make GIS accessible to educators and students. His innovative approaches integrate GIS with broader disciplines, demonstrating how interactive tools can teach real-world concepts like urban planning and environmental sustainability. Joseph also uses hands-on activities, such as creating walkability maps, to help students engage with their communities. “It’s not just about using GIS,” he explained, “it’s about taking action to solve real-world challenges and empowering others to see the possibilities GIS provides.”
Tenacity
Joseph’s career is a testament to perseverance. He candidly shared moments of self-doubt, including an early teaching experience where his lecture-heavy approach fell flat. Reflecting on such challenges, he emphasized the importance of adapting and growing through feedback. “GIS is always evolving,” Joseph noted, “and staying relevant requires resilience and a willingness to learn.” He acknowledged the technical setbacks educators and students often face, like system crashes and data loss, yet highlighted the power of persistence. For Joseph, tenacity means facing these hurdles head-on, knowing that the rewards—like inspiring the next generation of GIS professionals—are worth the effort.
Humility
Despite his decades of experience, Joseph approaches his work with profound humility. He openly credited mentors, colleagues, and even students for shaping his understanding of GIS. “You’re always learning,” he said, recounting instances where newcomers offered fresh perspectives that enhanced his teaching. Joseph reflected on how the growing complexity of GIS keeps him grounded, admitting that he’ll never know it all. “This field teaches you humility,” he shared, “because there’s always something new to discover.” His gratitude for being part of a community working toward global good underscores his belief that collaboration and openness are essential to making a difference.
Shared Resources
Here’s a curated collection of resources from Joseph Kerski, highlighting innovative tools, insightful essays, and actionable ideas for educators and GIS enthusiasts alike.These resources are designed to inspire, educate, and empower GIS professionals and educators to make a difference in their communities. Explore these links to deepen your understanding and expand your toolkit!
1. Living Atlas Apps for K-12 and Beyond Explore the Living Atlas Apps that Joseph regularly uses in K-12 teacher professional development sessions and university courses. To make teaching easier, check out his short lesson guidelines on how to incorporate these tools effectively into the classroom.
2. Essay: Sometimes Change Brings Innovation Read Joseph’s reflective essay, "Sometimes Change Brings Innovation," which delves into how GIS programs evolve through challenges and adaptation.
3. Proof of Concept: Linking GIS Tools for Walkability Discover a practical story map example that links field surveys, dashboards, web maps, and story maps to study walkability. This versatile method can also be adapted for other topics like noise, water quality, tree species, historical buildings, and more.
4. Teaching Mathematics with Interactive Mapping Learn about Joseph’s book, Teaching Mathematics Using Interactive Mapping, which offers a unique approach to integrating GIS into mathematics education.
5. Data and Society Blog Dive into the Spatial Reserves Blog for thoughtful discussions on GIS, data ethics, and the societal implications of spatial thinking.
6. 6,000 GIS Videos Explore Joseph’s video library, a treasure trove of over 6,000 videos covering everything from GIS basics to advanced applications.
7. Thinking Spatially Podcast Listen to Thinking Spatially, a podcast where Joseph unpacks the importance of spatial thinking in solving real-world problems.
8. Esri Education Team Resources Visit the Esri Education Team Landing Page for tools, resources, and support to integrate GIS into your teaching or learning journey.
Contact Joseph
Joseph is dedicated to fostering spatial thinking and using GIS to create a sustainable and equitable world. Don’t hesitate to reach out to discuss GIS projects, educational opportunities, or community impact initiatives. Whether you're looking to collaborate, learn more about GIS, or explore his educational resources, here's how to reach him:
Reach out to Joseph via email: jkerski@esri.com
Connect with Joseph on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/josephkerskiYouTube Channel: esriurl.com/ourearth
Personal Website: josephkerski.com
Esri Education Resources: esri.com/education
Data and Society Blog: Spatial Reserves Blog
Sponsored by BeSpatial Ontario
This episode of Pathfinders is sponsored by BeSpatial Ontario. Join them at bespatialontario.ca to earn GISP credits, access webinars, and stay updated on the latest GIS industry news worldwide.
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