Kate Newmyer Launches Sleeping Bag to Maggie Hamilton (Photo by Kate Newmyer)

Maggie Hamilton, 2025 Teacher on the Trail, met up with Kate Newmyer, 2024 Teacher on the Trail, at Space Center Houston.  Topping their list of things to do that day was passing the Teacher on the Trail sleeping bag.  With mock shuttle Independence and shuttle carrier aircraft, NASA 905 in the back ground, Kate launched the bag to Maggie.  While the bag has been passed from Teacher to Teacher since shortly after the inception of the Teacher on the Trail program in 1999, it’s never happened in this air-born fashion!  Leave it to Kate and Maggie to come up with something unique.

Independence Plaza features the original Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA), a Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet known as NASA 905.  NASA 905 performed 70 of the 87 ferry missions, carrying winged shuttle orbiters across the country from the landing site back to Kennedy Space Center for the next launch.  This ride atop an SCA saved a lengthy barge trip through the Panama Canal.  Independence, a winged shuttle orbiter is mounted on top of NASA 905 in transport position.  Independence is a mock-up of the shuttle Explorer.  Visitors can access the interior of NASA 905 as well as Independence to experience a plethora of scientific encounters and educational activities.

Kate reflected on sharing time with Maggie at Independence Plaza saying, “Independence Plaza and the NASA 905 aircraft carrier symbolizes to me the passing of the torch from me to Maggie. The shuttle is carried to the place where it can launch on its own. It’s been wonderful getting to know Maggie. Her enthusiasm for teaching, the Iditarod, and excitement for travel and new experiences tells me she’s going to do an amazing job.  Maggie, you are go for launch!”

Iditarod EDU says congratulations and offers a huge thank you for a job well done to Kate.  Over the past 12 months Kate provided robust and exciting Iditarod based lessons for teachers around the world to use as a theme to motivate students and enhance curriculum.  Kate also authored “Houston, We Have a Connection” and “Classroom Culture.”

Maggie, the 26th Teacher on the Trail says, “I love the energy and buzz that hits my classroom when I start teaching with the Iditarod; however, to physically experience the sights, sounds, smells, and overall atmosphere of the race is completely different. I hope to capture as much of that to pass along and I can’t wait to share every moment of my adventures ahead!” 

Maggie provides a breakdown of what to expect in the coming year saying, “This year, I will be posting two times a month on the Iditarod EDU website. On the 1st day of the month, I will present a lesson plan that teachers can use in their classroom. Each month, the subject focus will differ; however, each lesson will be adaptable and will give ideas on how to weave the Iditarod race into what is already being taught in the classroom. On the 15th day of the month, I will present a blog post where you will learn more about the Iditarod, see how I use the race in my classroom/school, learn about the volunteer positions, and what training looks like for mushers each month.”