Teachers everywhere are either busy preparing for a new school year or recovering from the first weeks of school. Our first student day was on August 5th, so I am past the preparation phase and currently recovering. 🙂 As I have mentioned before, I teach in Indiana, where the interstate welcome signs say “More to Discover IN Indiana”. On the 15th of each month, I will be posting with the theme of More to Discover, which will include Iditarod and Serum Run facts, information on training and volunteer positions, and ways that I am using the race in my school and classroom.

HAVE YOU HEARD __ In a few short months, we will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the 1925 Serum Run! A common misconception is that the Iditarod race was started as a way to commemorate the Serum Run. In 1925 there was a diphtheria outbreak in the small town of Nome, Alaska and families relied on a relay of dog teams to bring life saving serum from Nenana to Nome. The Serum Run and the Iditarod have many similarities; however, it is important to note that when Joe Redington, Sr. first started organizing the long distance race, he had two specific goals. 1) He wanted to save the Alaskan huskies and sled dog culture, partially because there was a concern that snowmobiles might completely replace dog sledding. 2) He wanted to preserve the historic Iditarod Trail from Seward to Nome. When students ask if Balto and Togo have a place in Iditarod history, you can show students the importance of the Serum Run, but compare that with the start of the Iditarod. The Serum Run was not optional and there was little time to plan and coordinate, but the Iditarod was meticulously and purposefully planned.

1925 Serum Run Trail. Photo Credit: Alaska Mushing School

AUGUST TRAINING __ Students may assume that training for the dogs and mushers is paused when the snow melts.. NOPE! Many mushers use wheels, such as four wheelers or side by sides, to train in the spring, summer, and fall. Students can make inferences, then compare and contrast mushing during the different seasons. What would mushers need to do differently to keep their dogs hydrated and cool? Some mushers make sure to train along routes that have a water source and some have strategically placed pools along the trail for a quick cool down. Students could research mushing in Australia, where winter is ending and the mushing season is currently wrapping up!

Power assisted summer training behind a four-wheeler with musher Vern Halter. Photo Credit: Terrie Hanke

AT MY SCHOOL __ For the last seven years, my school has participated in school-wide Iditarod activities in the weeks leading up to and during the race. However, this year students are being exposed to the race from the beginning of the school year. Here’s how I’m using the race right now in my school:

I started with a couple of visual displays that will hopefully catch the eye of most students. 2017 Teacher on the Trail Annie McGuire created the Iditarod ABCs, which I used to make a bright display that students will pass by every day. I also included Annie’s Iditarod Word of the Week to add some variety throughout the school year. Part of my 5th grade curriculum is US geography, so I created weekly random Alaska facts that I have posted outside my classroom door. While these facts are not directly related to the Iditarod, the intent is for students to become more knowledgeable about Alaska.

Iditarod ABCs & Word of the Week. Photo Credit: M. Hamilton

This year my classroom jobs have an Iditarod theme, too. Jobs include Trail Mail Coordinator, Trail Blazer, Weather Analyst, Rest Stop Supervisor, and Musher’s Assistant. Within table groups, jobs include Team Lead, Timekeeper, Communication Specialist, and Resource Manager. I’ve found that my students really like having jobs that sound more sophisticated than line leader or door holder. This is a work in progress, so if you have suggestions, please send them my way! 

 Last, but certainly not least, each year the Teacher on the Trail™ gets to design their own patch. This patch gets added to the official Teacher on the Trail sleeping bag, which passes from teacher to teacher. In July my kids and I took a road trip to Texas to meet up with Kate Newmyer, 2024 Teacher on the Trail. Kate’s lessons and posts made many connections to space, so we continued the tradition of “passing the bag” at NASA Space Center Houston. My next step is to work with the 5th graders at my school as they help to design my patch during their art class. Students will have certain requirements, such as including my name, something about our school district, etc; however, their creativity is what I am looking forward to the most. The patch designs will be due October 1st, so stay tuned for the outcome.

VIBRANT VOLUNTEERS __ Did you know that over 1,500 volunteers work together to ensure that the race runs smoothly each year? This month I am highlighting a volunteer position that I was able to personally experience last winter. The Anchorage Network Center (ANC) is the perfect place for volunteers who enjoy staying informed during every moment of the race. According to the volunteer website, ANC runs six hour shifts with two to four people per shift. Volunteers monitor communication to and from all checkpoints from the Restart in Willow until the Red Lantern musher arrives in Nome. After making sure that all information received is accurate, ANC publishes the race information to the website. It’s incredibly exciting to be the first to get updates on the race! 

Let’s connect! I can be reached through email at emailtheteacher@iditarod.com. I look forward to hearing from you!