Educators from around the Lower 48 gathered in the windy city of Chicago for an Iditarod Education Conference. States near and far were represented – Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, New Jersey and Massachusetts. The common goal for all educators in attendance was enhancing knowledge and resources for using the Iditarod to provide students with real life applications and standards based problems for use in the classroom. Iditarod is a powerful tool that motivates and captivates learners. Iditarod invigorates and generates enthusiasm for students and teachers alike.

The Chicago Conference was hosted by 2017 Iditarod Teacher on the Trail™ Annie Kelley.  She teaches fourth grade math, social studies, language arts and religion.  Kelley is a born and raised Chicagoan who loves being in nature. She enjoys camping, hiking, kayaking, backpacking and running. Annie has completed 8 marathons and over the next year she plans on “running” the length of the Iditarod Trail, 1049 miles.  

Linda Fenton shared a plethora of social studies lessons with attendees. Fenton served as the 2013 Iditarod Teacher on the Trail™. She uses Iditarod as a year round theme in her third grade classroom. Linda provided teachers with resources and activities that were classroom ready including comparisons between home state and Alaska, maps and map scale.

Iditarod participant Pat Moon brought a sled, musher gear and a sled dog to the conference. Moon, a Chicago native, began his mushing career at Nature’s Kennel in the upper peninsula of Michigan with his eye on the Iditarod. He attempted Iditarod in 2010 and 2012. Pat provided an energetic presentation covering equipment, musher clothing, vet notebook, and the sled while his sled dog, Hera roamed through the desks and collected lots of love from the participating teachers.

The 8 Traits of Iditarod and other character education ideas were presented by 2006 Iditarod Teacher on the Trail™ and Eye on the Trail Journalist, Terrie Hanke. Common Core Standards address preparing students for college, career and civic readiness. Character and standards gurus Kristie Fink and Karen Gellar say, “By embedding positive school culture and intentionally integrating pro-social education and character throughout instruction the Common Core Standards will be strengthened and supported. The goal is to be not only college and career ready, but also ready for the tests of life, and not (just) a life of tests.” Hanke’s presentation provided teachers with resources and activities to use with students in building good citizenship within the classroom school. One of the incredible resources available to teachers is the book Ordinary Dogs, Extraordinary Friendships by Pam Flowers. Other ideas included using the acronym HAW & L that the vets use for checking dogs at checkpoints as a student character check. Terrie also shared the Alaska Native Values Curriculum from the Alaska Native Knowledge Network – UAF.

Conference participants also heard from Annie Kelly who shared Iditarod themed lessons she uses in her classroom. Besides language arts and math, Annie shared a music lesson. Music is enjoyed by so many people across the world.  From rock to pop, and country to classical, music is all around us.  Music can tell a story, convey a feeling or simply help us relax.  The 4th graders created a playlist of five songs that a musher might listen to or be feeling at five different parts of the Iditarod trail.  Go to Annie’s lesson plan using this link.

Musher Charley Bejna Skyped into the conference from his dog yard in Knik, Alaska. Bejna is a four Iditarod participant, reaching Nome two of those years. Charley, a Chicago native, fielded questions from the teachers. Of course, the first question was how he became involved in the sport of mushing and the second question was how he manages his Type 1 Diabetes while on the trail. In 2007 he participated in the Iditarod as Bruce Linton’s Idita-Rider. Linton is also a Type 1 diabetic. Charley became a handler for GB Jones and the next step was Iditarod. Bejna says, “I am entering the 2017 Iditarod to enjoy the race and spend time with my dogs. As a Type 1 diabetic, I want to show other diabetics that you can still live a normal life as long as you take care of yourself.”

The Iditarod Education webpage is being updated with more streamlined organization. The web design team along with Education Director, Diane Johnson, introduced the new Iditarod Edu home page. Teachers liked the new categories and organization scheme. To peruse the multitude of lessons and other resources for educators, go to the Edu home page using this link.

After a sharing and collaboration session, teachers departed for their own classrooms with renewed vigor and energy along with resources and ideas to motive their students through Iditarod.  Follow 2017 Iditarod Teacher on the Trail™ Annie Kelley as she travels along the trail.