Jefferson Junior High School students recently welcomed local Texas Game Wardens Kord Bradshaw and Cody Levy to campus. Warden Bradshaw enlisted additional help from fellow wardens Tanner Campbell, Daniel Kessler, and Daniel Roerback for a Hunter Education Field Day that blended career insight with hands-on training.

The wardens first spoke with students at both the High School and Jr. High campuses about their profession, the responsibilities that come with wearing the badge, and the educational path toward becoming a Texas Game Warden. On the High School campus, Game Wardens visited Principles of Agriculture classes to share their individual career paths and explain how their career choices have allowed them to serve Texas by protecting the state’s natural resources, wildlife, and outdoor heritage.

On the second day, they led 35 Jr. High students through field exercises designed to reinforce safety, ethics, and sound decision-making in the outdoors. All students successfully passed the state written test along with the field exam, becoming eligible for their required Basic Hunter’s Ed. Certification card. This is state law for anyone born after September 1, 1971, with few exceptions. 

Jace Kline, a 7th grader at JJHS, said, “Hunter Education helped me learn how to be a safe and ethical hunter through learning where and how to shoot, how to handle a firearm and the rules of safety. It also helped me realize and know not only how to be an ethical hunter but also how to be an ethical and better person.”

Bryleigh Breckenridge, an eighth-grade student at Jefferson Junior High School, expressed her appreciation for the wardens and the opportunity to participate in the field training: “I am very grateful that they came and did all that for us so that we can be safe while hunting and be an ethical hunter.”

Bryleigh also reflected on the enjoyment of learning outdoors alongside her classmates: “This experience was very fun, informational, and I loved being able to be outside with my friends and learn about something I want to learn about.”

The lessons taught by these professionals reached beyond the field exercises, helping students understand that responsibility, integrity, and good judgment are qualities that carry into every aspect of life.

Outdoors Education Teacher Paul Cothren said, “I watched as the wardens caringly poured their personal experiences into the lives of our students, leaving an impact that will not soon be forgotten.”

During the field training, game wardens led students through structured demonstrations on safety routines, field procedures, and ethical decision-making. They explained the purpose of each rule, answered student questions, and supervised practice to reinforce the standards.

“On behalf of our students and families, thank you to Wardens Bradshaw, Levy, Campbell, Kessler, and Roerback. You showed our kids what service, steady judgment, and respect for the outdoors look like. Your presence mattered, and our students will carry that with them.”

Paul Cothren
Outdoors Education - Principles of Agriculture