As my journey comes to an end as a Teacher on the Trail finalist I am reaffirmed that the four words I use for my Iditarod themed classroom are spot on: Perseverance, Compassion, Community and Skill. 

After spending nine days in Alaska at the Winter Education Conference, attending both the Ceremonial Start in Anchorage and the Restart of the race in Willow and learning interesting facts from race organizers like the Race Marshal, Iditarod Air Force, Communications Director, and CEO Rob Urbach, along with learning all about the different aspects and logistics of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race, I can truly say that the Iditarod IS Perseverance, Compassion, Community and Skill. 

Perseverance

As musher Matt Paveglio was announced before he left the starting chute on his journey to Nome, the announcer said Matt believes in being free and alive in the wilderness and that we should make the most of our moments. WOW!  Advice on how to approach life and watching Matt live his dream makes this race like no other. Reaching for dreams involves perseverance and unwavering focus, and though it looks like these mushers make participating in the Iditarod look effortless, they have persevered through 6 months of training, years of dedication to their kennels, have competed in countless other races and have made personal sacrifices so they can pursue their dream of going down the Iditarod Trail.  

Compassion

I volunteered as a dog handler at the Restart of the Iditarod Race for Neke Naaktgeboren’s team and I fell in love with Belle, a sled dog so excited to run that she literally jumped straight into the air, over and over, while we waited to head to the starting line.  Belle and I became best friends for the 10 minutes I stood by her side and her happiness and energy stole my heart.  If I can spend 10 minutes with a high jumping, excited canine athlete and have my heart melt, then a musher’s heart must be overflowing with love and care for his/her dogs. 

It was also fun to see Neke’s mom and son love on the dogs as the dogs waited to get outfitted with booties and harnesses.  The Iditarod is a race for a mushers family too. 

Community

Seeing the lines of fans stretching out from the  starting chute across Willow Lake with Denali showing proudly in the distance displays a strong sense of community for this race.  Having mushers and handlers work together along with volunteers to ensure every team gets safely to the starting line takes community.  Having fans cheer mushers on as they swish by and school teachers cheer on the musher who is carrying their classes Trail Mail, this race unites communities across our 50 states and around the world. 

Skill

Mushers are dog whisperers, campers, mechanics, veterinarians, physically and mentally tough, adventurers and have an incredible support system of family, friends, fans and sponsors to send them down the trail.  And let’s not forget the dog handlers each musher relies upon as their support team, training team, help with physical labor team and get their musher successfully to the starting line of the race team.  

The most exciting part of the race are the awards given out during and after the race.  I enjoy the awards that are given to the musher first into a checkpoint or first to reach the half way point of the race.  Those awards are great and well deserved!  But, the awards that go with my Iditarod classroom theme of Perseverance, Compassion and Community are the awards that are great to teach about and review once the Iditarod is finished.  The Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian Award,  Most Inspirational Musher, and Sportsmanship Award are just a few of the awards that honor the mushers hearts for each other and their dogs.  

“The Iditarod is, above all, a race of the heart for both human beings and dogs.”

Robert J. Blake

As the long anticipated 50th Iditarod Sled Dog Race starts and finishes, spring breaks are over and the horizon of the end of the school year is in the distance, don’t put Iditarod lessons away just yet.  Teach the Special Awards that honor mushers integrity, compassion, helpfulness and attitude while on the trail.  Those lessons will definitely get you to the finish line of your school year in a positive, sled dog mushing way.   And there really is no better way to achieve dreams and goals. 

Have fun following the race with your students and family!  Mush on and Happy Trails!

Teachers:  Have fun following the mushers on the Iditarod website as you and your students track their progress.  Remember when the race is over, your Iditarod teaching can still keep going.  

Check out the Special Awards presented to mushers.  Note the awards given to mushers based on attitude, character and sportsmanship on the trail.  Those awards are listed below and you can find them posted on the Iditarod website by early April.  

Which musher received an award and why:

• Most Inspirational Musher 
• Most Improved Musher 
• Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian Award
• Donlin Gold Sportsmanship Award
• Northern Air Cargo Herbie Nayokpuk Memorial Award
• Golden Clipboard Award
• City of Nome Lolly Medley Memorial Golden Harness Award. 
• “Committed Through The Last Mile” Red Lantern Award
• Honorary Musher