The allure of this race often begins at an early age…
Back in mid-October, a 4th grade teacher from Grandville, Michigan received an email from a co-worker asking if she would have interest in working with a rookie musher in the 2026 Iditarod as part of a special program offered through the Iditarod Education Department. “At the beginning of the school year a colleague asked me if I wanted to partner up with a former student (Joey) based on an email [that she had received]. I thought it was a great idea and exciting for my class.” recounts Mrs. Venhuizen, a current 4th grade teacher at Central Elementary in Grandville.
Twenty-eight years ago she had a student named Joey Sabin. A self proclaimed “teacher’s pet”, Joey was always a good student in school and wanted to do his best. However, there was one instance he recalled where his first grade teacher was not very pleased with him. “We had to do a book report, and I had decided to – instead of doing a proper book report – I decided to copy the whole entire book word for word. She was not happy”. Despite this incident, he still maintained a great relationship with her, and continued to build strong relationships with most if his future teachers. Lesson learned!
Joey had been exposed to the sport of dog sledding from an early age thanks to a close friend of his mother. However, he remembered reading a book in Mrs. Venhuizen’s class in 1st grade that really sparked his interest. He recalled “reading a book in her class about a sled dog. Later that day I rushed home, and hooked up my dog Alex to my bike and she pulled me around on my bike.” Then in 4th grade, his teacher Mrs. Helfrich, taught a unit about the Iditarod and Joey chose to follow Jeff King. Venhuizen stated “he became fascinated with the Iditarod ever since then”. This program was perfect for everyone.
“The program was really cool.” Joey stated. “First off, being able to reconnect with my first grade teacher… and they helped me out a lot, they made me a ton of blankets. They were really big, and really nice, so I was able to send them off to my 24 [hour layover] so my dogs can use them during my 24.” Mrs. Venhuizen shared that her class made 17 blankets with fleece donated by parents. She then stated that “After packing the boxes with blankets we added pictures and letters of encouragement and organic dog treats from Zeke’s Barkery (which were also donated)”. Sabin also said “I packed up those inspirational letters and sent those out to the 24 as well, so that I can sit there and read all those.” He was very appreciative of all the support from his former teacher and school. So appreciative in fact, that they were able to set up a live video call from Alaska less than two weeks before the start of the race!
“We had a really good chat for about 15-20 minutes. Every kid in the class got a chance to ask a question, and they actually had some really good questions! I give dogsled rides and some of the adults that ask me questions are [not as knowledgeable], and these kids in this 4th grade classroom asked me much better questions than I ever got giving tours.” He then took the kids outside to the dog yard to meet some of the dogs, and also showed them his outdoor thermometer with was reading -20ºF at the time.
Joey later shared that dog mushing was not necessarily his first career choice. “I went to college and I wanted to be a veterinarian, but organic chemistry had other plans for me. So I decided to take a break, and that break was 10 years ago… My parents actually kind of pushed me to go live one of my dreams, and one of my dreams was to be a dog musher”. Sabin is now following through on that dream that began so long ago; a boy being pulled on his bike by his best friend. Yet another valuable lesson from Sabin, do what you love, and enjoy every minute of it.
The connection that students around the world are able to make with these mushers, on a personal level, through the various programs offered through the Iditarod Education department is what makes this race, and this sport truly unique and special. For Joey Sabin, to reconnect with his former teacher, and her students, through this remarkable opportunity is how this race will continue to grow. As he said, “If just one of those kids [that I talked with] in that class, can continue following the sport, then I think I did my job.” This connection with his own elementary school truly brought the race full circle for him.
Sabin’s final piece of advice? “Just follow your dreams, because I’m LIVING mine”.
Yes you are Joey, and we are all cheering you on…
