This morning my palms were sweaty, my stomach a little queasy and I was finding myself doubting what I had planned for my presentation.  I was to be the first of the 2014 Teacher on the Trail™ Finalists to speak after Terrie Hanke.  As we began the morning, I checked and rechecked my packets and supplies.  As Terrie began to set up her computer and the projector, I started looking around at all the faces in the audience.

Originally I was supposed to speak after Terrie, but due to technology difficulties I was moved to first.   A few minutes into my presentation I looked up at a picture of my students and realized I have never been more proud.  These students enter our lives for such a short period of time, but we as teachers have a direct impact on the type of people they will become.  When I looked up at that screen and saw these young men and women who have grown into amazing students, I knew that no matter what the outcome of my presentation, I will always be grateful for the opportunity the Iditarod has given me to show off these amazing students.

Robert F. Kennedy said, “Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.”  Today I stepped out on a limb and stood in front of a crowd of my peers to share a part of my teaching career.  What I never realized until today was that stepping out on that limb allows others to climb with me.  Each musher that attempts to participate in the Iditarod is attempting something that they know is going to stretch them to their very limit.  As a teacher it is my job to require my students to test their limits and attempt to do something they may think is impossible.  How can we as teachers not expect the same thing of ourselves?

After a wonderful day of presentations, I can’t wait to go home and teach!  Each presenter brought a different aspect of how we can use the Iditarod to further help our students succeed.  It’s an amazing experience to sit in a room full of educators from all over the United States discussing how different teachers find success using the Iditarod as a teaching tool.

We ended our day with a wonderful trip to Jon and Jona Van Zyle’s studio and dog kennel.  Jon Van Zyle is the official artist for the Iditarod.  They own a kennel of Siberian Huskies.  You can learn more about the Van Zyles by visiting their web page.  They welcomed us into their home and studio.  It was a ton of fun to spend a little time out in the kennel with their dogs.  I was fortunate enough to get some great dog kisses from some really amazing animals!  It’s been a great day here in Alaska and I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!