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Character Education, Life Skills, Guidance & Counseling
Iditarod is where dogs run the race, but the race runs on volunteers. This is a pretty bold statement, one I made in a post earlier this month, and I stand by it. I’m not alone in recognizing that the volunteers are the heroes of the Iditarod. The mushers are aware that their ability to …
In the October IditarodEDU newsletter I teased that this SEL “Snack” would focus on gratitude. (Are you getting the newsletter??? If not, you definitely should sign up HERE for MUSH ON!, the free monthly digital newsletter from IditarodEDU that provides a ton of cool stories, great education ideas, and insider information!) Part of developing good …
Next month is Thanksgiving here in the US. The holiday focuses on gratitude but, if I am being completely honest, it is really all about the food. I will definitely get back to the thankfulness component in my November posts, but for now let’s talk turkey…and mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie. There is something about …
Last month’s Social Emotional Learning (SEL) “snack” focused on building Self-Awareness so students can identify big emotions. Now that our learners are more aware of, and can label, their feelings, the task is to figure out what to do about it. To avoid tantrums, freak outs, and meltdowns I provide a framework and tools to …
It’s hard to believe “All Sass September” is almost over! This means teachers everywhere deserve a pat on the back for making it through those first weeks of school. We’ve tackled tears and tantrums alongside routines and expectations, all while staying cool, calm, and collected (on the outside at least). The initial hurdles have been …
A few weeks ago I had the great fortune to interview 2022 Iditarod Champion Brent Sass, and that interview will inform my next few posts – it’s going to be an All Sass September! Brent Sass is no stranger to success; as a three time Yukon Quest champion and six time Iditarod finisher, Iditarod Rookie …
As a teacher, it feels like every year there is a new “trend” (and a new acronym) that needs to be integrated into the curriculum. Overwhelmed and frustrated are two emotions I feel when another buzzword comes across my desk or a new pilot program is pitched in an email. It would be easy to …
The idea of awarding a red lantern to the final finisher in a dog race apparently got its start during the Fur Rendezvous races in 1953 as a joke. When the the Iditarod came into existence, the tradition continued. The award has come to represent the preservation and grit needed to finish the race. The …
As you start to plan for your new school year, are Morning Meetings a part of your routine? Morning Meetings are a great way to leave the Starting Line of your day while creating community and reinforcing academic and social skills. They are also a great way to sneak in a little Iditarod fun and …
This year 9 Iditarod quilts have been crisscrossing the United States, visiting over 8,500 students in more than 65 schools. Each quilt serves as a great teaching tool for teachers, and gets students excited about the Last Great Race! From the teachers: In Ms. Berg’s class in Seattle: “The first graders work[ed] around character traits …