Photo by Jeff Schultz/SchultzPhoto.com (C) 2017 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Are you also finding it hard to believe that the new year is upon us? It seems like it was just the other day that I was welcoming my students to their final year of middle school. 

For many people, a new year brings with it a new and fresh beginning- one that is hopefully filled with tremendous health, extreme happiness and prodigious success. How was 2018 for you? Did you achieve the things you hoped to accomplish? Did you try something new? Did you experience any setbacks? 

While the answers to the previous questions will certainly vary, one thing for sure is a new year always provides a great opportunity to set goals for the upcoming year. There is no doubt that between the history of the race and every musher’s story, the Iditarod can be used as a source to inspire goal setting. Additionally, the checkpoints along the trail can be used as a way to track one’s progress toward a goal.

When your students arrive back from their holiday break, spend some classroom time to help guide them with setting new and attainable goals. Have them identify their strengths and evaluate the facets of life where there may be room for improvement. Share some of your goals with your students.

Are you interested in learning a little bit about how musher Larry Daugherty achieved his dream goal of racing in the Iditarod? Check out this video. Depending on the age of your students, consider watching this together. As a class, you can reflect upon Larry’s journey and the obstacles he encountered. 

On behalf of the Iditarod Education Department, I wish you a Happy New Year! Hopefully you achieve everything that you strive for in 2019.