Dear Educators,
My one-year term as the 2025 Iditarod Teacher on the Trail™ is coming to a close, and I want to extend my deepest gratitude to those who took the time to read, reflect on, and engage with my lessons and posts shared over the past year. This summer, I will pass the torch to Kari Wright, the next Teacher on the Trail, who will bring a new perspective and new ideas to the Iditarod EDU department.
When I first received the call that I was selected for this one year volunteer position, I was soaking in the sun on the beaches of Florida. It felt a bit ironic! Months later, my journey started with a road trip to Houston, Texas, where I met with Kate Newmeyer to pass off the legendary sleeping bag and receive advice from her time on the trail. Each Teacher on the Trail has their own unique experiences and I was incredibly excited to start my own story.
Each month I posted a lesson and information that I knew would be useful to teachers. Knowing that these lessons found a place in classrooms around the world and contributed to work with students has meant the world to me. I know the excitement that my own students feel when they learn about the Iditarod, and I am thankful I was able to spread that joy with other students and educators.
My time on the trail was indescribable. I fell in love with the ease of small airplanes, the stillness of small Alaskan towns, the sound of dogs barking, and the crisp starry nights. Going from teaching about the Iditarod to experiencing the ins and outs was life changing. Before my time in Alaska, I never understood what a checkpoint looks like from a musher’s perspective or how the volunteers navigate their duties to make the musher’s experience flawless when they are in a checkpoint. This year, the race should have had hiccups due to the last minute decision to switch to a Fairbanks start, but the race still had a beautiful flow. Everyone should add volunteering with the Iditarod to their bucket list of must-dos in life.
A huge thanks to my husband, who has been my biggest support and pushed me to achieve this dream. I felt the love and support from my family and friends from the very beginning. Also a huge thanks to my co-workers and school district, who have always been excited to follow my lead in bringing the Iditarod to our small community. And thank you to the educators who keep the life of the race alive from a distance. Your dedication to teaching—and your willingness to explore new ideas and resources—has been both inspiring and humbling. It’s been a privilege to create content with you and your students in mind, and I’m incredibly thankful for the thoughtful feedback, encouragement, and support you’ve offered along the way.
Thank you again for being a part of this journey. I’m truly grateful for your time, your trust, and your commitment to the Iditarod and education.
With sincere appreciation,
Maggie Hamilton
