Joseph Koger, a Seekonk resident and science teacher at Mt. Hope High School, and longtime camp counselor at the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, was named Educator of the Year during the Audubon Society’s 125th Annual Meeting on Sunday, Oct. 23.

The event, held at the Audubon Society of Rhode Island in Bristol, also featured speaking portions from Rhode Island’s Speaker of the House, Rep. K. Joseph Shekarchi, and the two candidates for Governor of Rhode Island, incumbent Dan McKee and challenger, Ashley Kalus.

Koger has been mentor, leader to kids for 40 years
Tracey Hall, the education coordinator for Audubon, presented the educator of the year award to Koger.

“Anyone who knows Joe is aware that Educator of the Year falls short in honoring the decades-long work he has done as a camp counselor, naturalist, educator, biologist, biology teacher, expert birder, artist, bluebird monitor, volunteer, colleague, and for many of us here, a friend,” she said. “I have had the privilege of working with Joe as a camp director at Audubon for about 20 of the 40 years he's been teaching and leading over 4,000 campers. This makes us sound very old doesn't it?”

Hall said that, while the camp experience can be accurately described as a type of controlled chaos, Koger has been able to retain a sense of calmness and continually encourages camp attendees to come back year after year.

“He has this presence, this magical way of putting everyone at ease around him,” she said. “He has a soft-spoken, quiet voice. But also a power about him, much like a zen master. He could garner the respect and attention of the kiddos that he worked with as well as the adults that work beside him.”

After presenting the award to a loud round of applause, it was revealed that a $25,000 grant from Bank of America was presented in order to begin a camp scholarship fund, which will be dedicated in Koger’s name.