Author: Jane Holmes (110 posts)


2024 Educational Trail Mail Design Winner Announcement

Just like the mushers of the Iditarod, Karlyn T. of WY showed perseverance and has been selected as the artist for the 2024 Trail Mail envelopes.  Karlyn entered last year’s Trail Mail design contest as well and was a top finalist. Meeting and exceeding the criteria of content and artistic aptitude, this 13 year old’s …

2024 Trail Mail Sales Are Open

We are so excited to announce that sales for the Educational Trail Mail Project are open! This is an amazing chance for your class to be a part of history by sending a piece of mail down the trail in one of the 2024 student designed cachets and help us raise funds for our education …

Warm Hearts Make Warm Dogs 2024

Calling all classrooms! Our students are the biggest fans and supporters of the race especially of the dogs!  The Iditarod Return Dog Team is in need of 300 fleece dog blankets to be used at checkpoints AND to have on hand for dogs returned to Anchorage during the race.  While the dogs are being cared …

Updated 2024 Winter Conference Information

Updated speaker and schedule information. Learn how to harness the power of the Iditarod and sled dog racing to increase student engagement and drive in your classroom.  Add new gear to your classroom sled bag.  Broaden your repertoire of Iditarod lessons in a multitude of content areas and across a wide range of age and …

STEM Innovations Based on the Idaho Sled Dog Challenge and the Iditarod Sled Dog Race

The Iditarod Education Department continues to partner with the Idaho Sled Dog Challenge, an Iditarod qualifier, in developing captivating STEM curriculum tied to both races.  Iditarod Teachers on the Trail™️ Jim Deprez (21-22), Heidi Sloan (2018), and Erin Montgomery (2015) will share research based STEM lessons you can use immediately in your classroom. The Idaho …

2024 Winter Educators Conference Registration is Open!

Learn how to harness the power of the Iditarod and sled dog racing to increase student engagement and drive in your classroom.  Add new gear to your classroom sled bag.  Broaden your repertoire of Iditarod-themed lessons in a multitude of content areas and across a wide range of age and grade levels.  This professional development …

Fantasy Iditarod Dog Draft – Football’s Got Nothing on These 4-legged Athletes

Fall brings images of football and many folks are drafting their fantasy football teams.  But kids would much rather have a fantasy Iditarod team – 16 team members, 8 positions, 64 paws on the ground!!  Use this updated Fantasy Dog Draft Lesson from Jen Reiter, 2014 Teacher on the Trail now – or wait until …

Manley Hot Springs and the Flight to Tanana by 2003 Iditarod Teacher on the Trail™️ Cassandra Wilson Brady

Due to warm weather, 2003 was the first year the Iditarod Race started in Fairbanks, Alaska. My  memorable checkpoint was Manley Hot Springs. My pilot dropped me off and I went exploring,  talking to mushers and vets. I met Raymie, Barbara Redington and their young son, Ryan. They  gave me a lift to the Manley …

Unalakleet Felt Like Home – 2014 Iditarod Teacher on the Trail, Jen Reiter Reflects on Unalakleet

“Which checkpoint was your favorite?” is a question I have been asked over and over and over since I served as the 2014 Iditarod Teacher on the TrailTM. And like every good teacher, I try never to name a favorite. I’ve never had a favorite student, I’ve never named a favorite checkpoint. Each checkpoint I …

2001 Teacher on the Trail™️ – Diane Nye Reflects on Grayling

Why did I choose Grayling of all the experiences I had during the race in 2001?  I had several memorable experiences there.  The first was the weather.  The race in 2001 was the warmest it had ever been (but there have been several warmer races since).  However, at Grayling on the Yukon River it was …