Ice to Meet You, Alaska!

Our 4th grade teachers have a very good reason to be happy. A $10,000 reason! They were awarded a Fund for Teachers grant that will send them to Alaska this summer to expand their knowledge of dogsledding, the Iditarod, and glaciers. They will experience the Alaskan culture, hike on a glacier, view Mt. Denali and other amazing landforms, and experience dryland

Each year, fourth grade studies the famous Iditarod dogsled race by keeping track of mushers at race checkpoints. They research how mushers and sled dogs are chosen and trained, the special equipment used, and the clothing that is needed. They learn about the conditions and terrain of the trail and how the route changes every other year. This Alaskan trip will allow teachers to dive deeper into the content, make connections to the Iditarod, and lead to a deeper understanding for students.

The teachers will attend the Salmon Berry Dryland Dog Sledding Experience where they will view Mt. Denali, the tallest peak in North America. After taking in some of the beautiful landforms, they will visit the homestead of Dallas Seavey, a five-time Iditarod Champion and former star of National Geographic’s Ultimate Survival Alaska! They will also meet his professional Iditarod mushers/handlers and his champion Alaskan Huskies. Sharing a wheeled dog chariot, the teachers will guide a dog team into the groomed trails of Talkeetna’s boreal forest. For the first half of the ride, one partner will guide the four-legged team into the forest, watching and listening for local wildlife. Partners will alternate from standing to riding. The final half of mushing will duplicate the Iditarod trail where they will visit a replica of an official Iditarod checkpoint and cross the Burled

In Anchorage they hope to connect with teachers and librarians for firsthand knowledge about Alaskan school curriculum, Alaskan school culture, and hopefully find classroom teachers willing to participate in a student pen pal program. In Wasilla they will visit the Iditarod Trail Headquarters Museum.

Their desire is to use this professional development to not just adapt lessons, but to inspire and encourage students to embrace learning and experiences in different ways. They want students to know that it is important to step out of their comfort zone, go places, meet new people, and have experiences that change thinking.

Fund for Teachers has been awarding grants since 2001, allowing teachers to dream big and design their own professional development.

OLIVIA PETERS

I am most excited about all the new experiences. We will be able to explore a portion of Alaska each day as there will be over 20 hours of daylight. Another exciting thing will be meeting local people and talking with them. I am looking forward to seeing the wildlife and the beautiful scenery throughout the state.

STEPHANIE AMANS

I am excited to see where part of the Iditarod takes place, meet actual finishers of The Great Race, and visit their kennels to see what it takes to raise and train a champion dog sled team. I can’t wait to experience Alaskan culture, meet new people, make new friends, and connect with teachers and students.

LINDSAY BRUDER

I am thrilled to see what Alaska has to offer. I have taught so much about the Ice Age and glaciers, and now to see one and hike on it will be such an amazing experience. I am excited to share our firsthand experiences of dog sledding, talk with the different mushers, and see their kennels. The Alaskan culture and landscape are of interest to me, so being engulfed in it will be wonderful. We will gain knowledge, experiences, and connections that we can share with our amazing students in Amery!

ANDY WOLF

I am excited for our dog sled experience. I have heard how the landscape of Alaska is amazing, and I can’t wait to take it all in, not to mention all the wildlife. I’ve never been on a glacier before, so the glacier hike will be an awesome experience.