IRVING, Texas — An Irving ISD teacher who has spent nearly two decades introducing students to outdoor skills has been recognized with a national honor.
Joe O’Dell, Outdoor Education teacher at Johnson Middle School, has been named the Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation (OTF) Outdoor Adventures 2026 Educator of the Year. The award recognizes outstanding educators who lead Outdoor Adventures programs across the United States and Canada.
O’Dell was selected from approximately 2,000 Outdoor Adventures educators, making the recognition especially meaningful for the longtime instructor…