Messages to Teachers

Virtual Trail Journey – Cripple (Northern Route)

  On the even years, the race will take the northern route to Nome. When the drivers and teams reach Ophir, they’ll take a right and head north to Cripple. The distance from Ophir to Cripple is 59 miles. The total distance from Ophir to Kaltag, where the two trails rejoin on the northern route …

Educators, Prepare for the Race Now

by Martha Dobson, Iditarod Educational Consultant Every year, the race begins the first Saturday of March with the ceremonial race start in Anchorage, and now is the time to start your preparations for your students. Perhaps you have some tried and true activities and lessons which incorporate the race and the skills the students are …

Thank You Iditarod

[wpvideo KivsaNI9] My year as 2013 Teacher on the Trail™ is coming to a close and I have yet to wrap my brain around the fact that it actually happened. I can’t finish this adventure without a few thank yous.  Thank you Andrea Aufder Heyde (Finney) for having the tenacity to pursue bringing the Iditarod …

The 2014 Iditarod

Libby Here! Oh students!  I’ve been spinning in circles with excitement because the 2014 Iditarod is just around the corner!  I can’t wait!  I can’t wait!  I can’t wait!  It’s always so much fun to watch the mushers standing behind the sled and a team of smart and athletic huskies pulling and running!  I spin …

Our Hero – BALDY OF NOME

Thus far you have met our heroes Martin Buser, Bruce Linton, Balto and Togo. You have read about their great skills, determination and perseverance. Our hero, Baldy of Nome, has accumulated equally impressive accomplishments. Have you noticed that some of our heroes are from current times, some are from the recent past and some are …

Granite & Susan Butcher – Hero & Heroine

When speaking of Granite one has to mention Susan, when speaking of Susan one has to include Granite. Without Susan, Granite might have become a house pet. Without Granite, Susan might have been just an ordinary musher. Together they accomplished remarkable feats. That’s why they have both been named to the Just Guts Heroes, Heroines …

Ivedi – our Local Heroine

Ivedi isn’t as well known as Balto, Togo or Granite but none-the-less, she’s our hero. Locally known heroes like Ivedi are very real and very important. You and your classmates undoubtedly have included famous people on your list of heroes and heroines but don’t forget about folks in your family, community or school who have …

Pam Flowers – Heroine

Pam Flowers is a small quiet woman who considers herself a loner. Her idea of fun is to travel with her dogs in lonely desolate places. This may or may not sound like fun to you but Pam’s adventures captivate the interests of adults and children alike. After graduating from college, Pam held a good …

DeeDee Jonrowe – Heroine

The heroes and heroines that have been featured in these stories thus far are made of some pretty tough stuff. The same is true for DeeDee Jonrowe. Have you created a definition for heroine? How is a heroine different from a hero? If you’ve done your research, you’ll realize they are the same except hero …

Jeff King, Rick Swenson & Lance Mackey – Idols

I left it up to Smoke, the youngest dog at Just Guts to determine the difference between an idol and hero. It was a tough job because often the two words are used interchangeably. But Smoke, who is  very bright, came up with a good answer. An idol is a shining example, a superstar, a …