Rider Education ProgramEducators of the Year
Since its formal inception in 1999 and then annually thereafter, the GWRRA Rider Education Program recognizes and honors outstanding Educators who have distinguished themselves through performance and dedication above their peers. These awards are announced and presented during the Masters Awards at Wing Ding. Historically, well known former Director of Rider Education Pete Woodruffand others were known to give out awards to Educators for excellence in performance of their duties. The Rider Ed Team thinned that down to Educator of the Year in 1999 at a springmeetingheld with Former Director Ed Brennan and all the Region Educators in Melbourne, Florida. They agreed to honor an Educator of the Year every year at the Masters Breakfast each Wing Ding.
The following criteria are considered in the evaluation of potential nominees:
1. An active Educator and current Member in good standing
2. Have at least one full year in the Educator position
3. Be current and active in the Rider Education Levels Program at Level IV, Master Tour Rider/Co-Rider
4. Promotes, supports and participates in the many, if not all, of the Rider Education functions and events held within the District and Region
5. Actively and positively promotes the Rider Education Program in all its aspects
6. Assist with the next level officer (Chapter to District, District to Region, Region to International) with planning and executing the Rider Education Programs and functions
7. Completes and submits 100% of the Activity Reports on time
8. Actively promotes the growth of the REP program
9. Sets an example for all GWRRA Members by adhering to the Rider Education Program requirements
The Awardees:
2014 Gary & Patti Hamilton, TN DistrictEducator,awarded at Wing Ding 36 held in Madison, WI under TEAM GWRRA Rider Ed Director Tony Van Schaick
2013 Dan Davis, IL District Educator,awarded at Wing Ding 35 held in Greenville, SC under International Rider Ed Director Tony Van Schaick
2012 Betty Knutson*, International Assistant Educator,awarded at Wing Ding 34 held in Fort Wayne, IN under International Rider Ed Director Tony Van Schaick
2011 John & Lydia Bourg*,International Assistant Educators, FormerSouth Central Region H Educators,awarded at Wing Ding 33 held in Knoxville, TN under International Rider Ed Director Gene Knutson
2010 Don Henrey, Sr. WV District Educator,awarded at Wing Ding 32 held in Des Moines, IA under International Rider Ed Director Gene Knutson
2009Charles Schultz, Central CanadaRegion K Educator,awarded at Wing Ding 31 held in Tulsa, OK under National Rider Ed Director Mike Stiger
2008Mike Stiger*, Great Lakes Region D Educator,awarded at Wing Ding 30 held in Greenville, SC under National Rider Ed DirectorMark Zingery
2007 , awarded at Wing Ding 29 held in Billings, MT under National Rider Ed Director Mark Zingery
2006 ,awarded at Wing Ding 28 held in Nashville, TN under National Rider Ed Director Bob Lorenz
2005 ,awarded at Wing Ding 27 held in Fort Wayne, IN under National Rider Ed DirectorBob Lorenz
2004 Tony Van Schaick*, Sr. Northeast Region B Educator,awarded at Wing Ding 26 held in Grapevine, TX under National Rider Ed DirectorBob Lorenz
2003Gene & Martha Davis, Appalachian Region N Educators,awarded at Wing Ding 25 held in Madison, WI under National Rider Ed DirectorBob Lorenz
2002Dave McElderry, Great Lakes Region D Educator,awarded at Wing Ding 24 held in Fort Wayne, IN under National Rider Ed DirectorBob Lorenz
2001Robert Barry*, Assistant Northeast Region B Educator,awarded at Wing Ding 23 held in Greenville, SC under National Rider Ed Director Bob Lorenz
2000 Larry & Nadine Carpenter, WV District Educators, posthumously awarded at Wing Ding 22 held in Billings, MT under National Rider Ed Director Ed Brennan
1999 Joe Allen*, Appalachian Region N Assistant Educator, awarded atWing Ding 21 held inSpringfield, MO under National Rider Ed Director Ed Brennan
* Awardees that would go on to serve as volunteers on the National Rider Ed Team.