Four Exceptional Driver Education Teachers Honored by National Road Safety Foundation

In a remarkable recognition of teaching excellence in driver education, four outstanding teachers from across the United States have been honored as 'Teachers of Excellence' by the National Road Safety Foundation (NRSF) and the American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association (ADTSEA). This prestigious award celebrates educators who have shown a deep commitment to shaping safe driving behaviors among young students.

The 2025 honorees include:

- Paul McNamara from Fitchburg, Massachusetts
- Duane Kjono from Thief River Falls, Minnesota
- James Carroll from Conrad, Montana
- Oscar Outen from Monroe, North Carolina

Each of these individuals has made substantial contributions to driver education and safety. For instance, Paul McNamara, who began instructing in 2002, is also a co-founder of the Safe Road Driving Academy. His impactful teaching extends to training local police recruits, demonstrating his dedication not only to students but to community safety as a whole.

Duane Kjono brings almost four decades of experience to the classroom, having taught driver education for most of his career in the Goodrich schools and through the Northwest Service Cooperative. His long-standing commitment highlights the importance of consistent, quality education in traffic safety.

James Carroll is celebrating his 39th year in traffic education with the Conrad School District after a previous teaching role in the Moore School District. He also contributes to the academic community as an adjunct instructor at Montana State University, where he trains future driver education educators. His dual role enhances the quality of traffic safety instruction across various educational platforms.

Oscar Outen, who has operated his own driving school since 2015, manages a team of instructors dedicated to safe driving practices. His active involvement in volunteer programs demonstrates his passion for fostering responsible driving among youth, making him an integral part of his community.

Harold Fleming, a past president of ADTSEA and chair of the selection committee for these awards, lauded the honorees, stating, "These outstanding teachers inspire their peers to be passionate and effective teachers of this important lifelong skill." This statement encapsulates the essence of what these educators represent—not just teachers, but role models for safe driving.

The award ceremony took place during the ADTSEA national conference in Billings, Montana, where the honorees had the opportunity to share innovative lesson plans with their peers. This kind of collaboration fosters a network of dedicated educators who strive to improve driver education standards nationwide.

David Reich from NRSF remarked, "These Teachers of Excellence are dedicated to the young people they serve, and they are role models in ways that go far beyond driver training." His words emphasize the broader impact educators have on their students beyond just imparting technical knowledge about driving.

The Teacher Excellence Awards, which commemorate Dr. Francis Kenel—an influential figure in traffic safety education—underscore the importance of recognizing those who dedicate their careers to teaching safe driving. Dr. Kenel was not only a traffic safety engineer but also played a pivotal role in training countless driver education instructors across the nation.

The ADTSEA serves as the professional body representing traffic safety educators across the U.S. It is dedicated to advocating for effective traffic safety education, publishing policies, and providing vital training to ensure that driving remains a safe activity for all.

For over 60 years, the National Road Safety Foundation has supported such initiatives, creating and distributing educational materials on various driving safety topics, including distraction, speed management, and impaired driving, free of charge to educators and community advocates. Also, NRSF engages teens through contests aimed at promoting safe driving behaviors.

For additional information and access to free educational resources, visit www.nrsf.org.

This recognition of dedicated teachers reinforces the critical mission of driver education: cultivating safe, responsible drivers for the future. As the honorees continue their important work, they set an inspiring example for others committed to making a difference in driver education.