Kelly Villar, Iditarod 2020 Teacher on the Trail™ holds Demon

Kelly Villar has been selected as the 2020 Iditarod Teacher on the Trail™.  Kelly is the 22nd Iditarod teacher to be selected for this nationally acclaimed teaching and learning program.

Kelly’s Bio:

My name is Kelly Villar, and I live in Mansfield, Connecticut where my husband and I are parents of six children ages 7-22.  I began teaching in 2000 in Virginia Beach, Virginia.  In 2004, I moved to Mansfield, Connecticut, where I have taught grades 2-6, for the past 16 years.   I currently teach second grade at Southeast Elementary School.

When I am not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my family.   Together we enjoy amusement parks, kayaking, skiing, hiking, and camping.   I also love traveling to places such as Yellowstone National Park, the Outer Banks, North Carolina and the White Mountains, New Hampshire- where I have been able to mush several times!

I have been an active person my entire life.  I began skiing at age 3 and have enjoyed it ever since.  An avid swimmer, I worked as a lifeguard as a teen and performed as a synchronized swimmer. I also learned to climb and enjoyed high ropes courses. Several years ago I traveled to New Hampshire where I had my first mushing experience- it was great!  I am always open to trying new exciting things! 

In addition to outdoor activities, I volunteered with the American Lab Rescue and helped to find loving homes for 19 dogs. Currently, I have two rescue dogs living in my home, and I also sponsor a sled dog through the New Hampshire Sled Dog Rescue.

I have been an avid fan of the Iditarod since 2000.  I first learned about the race when my father called me one night to tell me about a “cool dog race” that he had seen online.  I looked up the Iditarod and was instantly hooked!  Twenty years later the Iditarod marks my favorite time of year. 

I have dreamed about becoming the Teacher on the Trail™ for a very long time.  I have been captivated by the Iditarod since my first introduction to the race.  Throughout the past twenty years, I have learned a great deal about the history and traditions surrounding the race and have taught these things to my family and my students.  I know I am ready to take on the challenge of becoming the Teacher on the Trail™!