By Guest Educational Journalist, Kristin Lewis

I have to immediately start by thanking the educators that work so hard to bring students (including myself) inspiring and exciting lessons and information.  I am a student teacher in New Mexico and this is my first time bringing the Iditarod to the classroom.  The teacher that brought the Iditarod to me was not in a classroom but in my home.  My father taught me about the Iditarod and what it took to race on the trail.  He taught me about the dogs strength and heart and the determination and love each one had for running and their musher.  The understanding of what it took to navigate and endure the trail not only for the musher but also the dogs.  The mushers became the athletes I grew up watching and admiring holding dear the autograph I got from George Atla as a little girl.

I am working to build a thematic unit around the race that will start in January and extend into the first week in April.  This is exciting and challenging and I look to the teachers on the website for guidance as I attempt this.  The race to me is not just an event and I want my students to learn that it is a lifestyle that includes intelligence as well as character. I believe that showing students real world uses for the curriculum taught will inspire a life long passion to learn.  The Iditarod encompasses everything that I hope to teach my students about strength, determination, hope, applying knowledge to life, character and self-esteem.  I believe that by showing students real people working hard to continue to learn it will inspire them to work toward their dreams and goals.  I believe that internalizing the lessons of the Iditarod can show students that knowledge and heart can enable the human mind and spirit to overcome anything.  I strive to show my students now and always that this race exemplifies human ability to the extreme. Mushers like Susan Butcher and Libby Riddles are such heroic examples for little girls to look up to as they grow.  The strength balanced by compassion shown by the male mushers show little boys a way to create a life healthy to them and also to others in their community.  The Iditarod is the greatest race on Earth not only for the length or challenges within it but for the inspiration, passion, and knowledge that comes from the mushers, dogs, volunteers, pilots, vets, educators, students, and fans.  I am determined to not only teach the Iditarod but also cover it as the teacher on the trail in the future so that I can continue bringing this unique and authentic race and life to students everywhere.

* Editor’s note:  Kristin Lewis did  her student teaching in NM.