Cathy Walters Target® 2009 Iditarod Teacher on the Trail™
Lessons from the Trail: Team Work
I am certain I’m not the first person who has surmised that the Iditarod Sled Dog Race is a metaphor for life. It is a long journey-even much longer than it appears-and one that requires almost obsessive discipline, focus, and perseverance. It teaches the participants things about themselves they may never have known if they had never started that journey. What happens when they are lost or stranded? How will they react in life and death situations? How will they react when confronted with the choice of stopping to help another competitor at an almost certain cost to their own aspirations? How can they foresee the daily-and decidedly unglamorous-tasks associated with keeping, training, and providing for a kennel full of dogs, day after day, morning after cold morning? And finally, after meeting all of the challenges and logistical nightmares involved in bringing a team to Anchorage for the race, how does one face the heartbreak of not finishing, of losing a dog, or of finishing far below the expectations of friends, family, sponsors, and-most importantly-oneself? How does a musher measure success when failure is, for most, what seems to be the order of the day? Why would anybody do this voluntarily? Dee Dee snacks her dogs.
Three years ago, when I started my journey to be Teacher on the Trail, I could not foresee the trials, the work, the uncertainty, and the heartbreak. I wanted to quit more than once. After my first attempt-I was chosen as a finalist, but not the 2008 Teacher on the Trail-I was ready to call it quits. But my “team”-friends, colleagues, family, and even members of the Iditarod Education Committee-challenged me to keep going. With no guarantee of success, I had to take a deep breath and consider if this was the right decision for me, and was it the right decision for this great group of folks that made up that team.
But with their support, I decided to give it a go, not knowing at the time how vital this team would become in my life. I put together that second application packet-notebooks full of essays, lesson plans, biographic information, etc-sharpened my computer skills, and waited for the word.
And so I was selected as the 2009 Teacher on the Trail in April; I coasted along on smooth trail until September of ‘08. Then the worst weather conditions blew in-I was diagnosed with cancer. What was I to do? It didn’t seem possible that I would be able to fulfill my duties as Teacher on the Trail. I decided to resign. My husband Bob said, “No, you need to follow through with this.” I called my principal Claudia Sherry to say I wouldn’t be going to Alaska, and she said, “Yes, you are.” Diane Johnson, head of the Iditarod Education Committee, said, “No, you may not resign.” She assured me it was my position, and they would work with me, come what may. My doctors said, “Well, maybe, but it will be close.” 2009 Teacher on the Trail, Cathy Walters, and Iditarod Education Director, Diane Johnson at the start of the Junior Iditarod.
And close it was. After months of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments, I was cleared to go on Friday, February 20th, five days before I flew out to Anchorage. Two weeks before my red and white blood cell counts were much too low to even consider the journey, but there it was. I had made it! But it would not have been possible without the wonderful support and encouragement I had from my doctors, my family, my good friends, my colleagues at Carolina Day School, my church, and all of the dozens and dozens of teachers, mushers, and administrators associated with the Iditarod. This was my team, and they pulled me through. Blue eyes dressed in pink!
I am teaching at CDS once again; I walk regularly, and I’ve even run a little. I get fatigued easily, and I am still experiencing some swelling and discomfort. But I am alive, and I have never been more thankful. I have discovered much about myself; I am humbled by the outpouring of hope, faith, and love from literally hundreds and hundreds of people. Now I have to pass it on. I want to be a part of other teams, for those whose sleds have taken an unexpected turn, or whose team is worn out. I want to be light and warmth for those who find themselves stranded out there on the dark and cold trail. I hope to cheer them across the finish line, just as others have cheered for me. Life is teamwork. That’s what I learned from the Iditarod, and that’s what I hope to pass on.
Cathy Walters,
June 2009
Jane Blaile, Target® 2008 Iditarod Teacher on the Trail™
Gifts
This topic has been on my mind since before I left Nome. As I started reflecting on how to answer the question I knew I was going to hear…”What was your favorite part of the trip?” And I have heard it, and I have answered it a little differently each time, but in all honesty, I can easily tell you that my favorite part of the trip was the gift of people.
I was showered with opportunities to meet and talk to people. And while I really didn’t engage in world-changing discussions with any one of them, each conversation was precious to me. I absorbed the words and savored the moments to talk to…
Lavon Barve, race judge, as he regaled me with stories of the Iditarod “back in the day” when they tried drying out booties with Blaz-o. Mark Nordman, race marshall, recalling the year that he and a group other Iditarod finishers agreeing to cross the finish line at exactly the same time. In Nome, Aliy Zirkle, noticed my Phoenix Suns sweatshirt and telling me that the Suns are her favorite team. And her dad, Doug Zirkle as we stood along the trail in Ruby hour after hour chatting. Al Marple, race judge, sharing stories of native friends of his in Koyuk. Martin Buser, as he fed his dogs in Cripple, asking me how I was enjoying my journey. When I told Mike Owens that I just wanted to hug Melissa every time I saw her in a checkpoint, and he said, “You should have!” Lance Mackey with me in line to get something to eat at the gym in Nikolai when I told him that I use him as an inspiration for students to work hard and follow their dreams saying, “That’s good if it helps someone.” Peter Bartlett and Ryan Redington telling me their advice for young people who want to follow their dreams. Cim Smyth, pulling in to Kaltag, asking me how I was doing. Jeff King explaining the book Mawson’s Will, his favorite, to me in the Russian import store in Nome. And again, Jeff King catching me off guard in White Mountain with a quote he said I should know because I’m a teacher…but I didn’t! Trent Herbst, musher and 4th grade teacher, at the musher meeting offering to send me his ideas for using the Iditarod in the classroom. Rick Swenson sitting down beside me at the table in McGrath, telling me his story, explaining his perspective. In Takotna I met Ellie Claus’s dad and asked him to let her know that in my classroom every year, I use a magazine article she wrote. And the list just goes on and on…
I have the tangibles—souvenirs and pictures, but the memories of the people and time I spent with them are the most precious gift of all.
Jane Blaile, June 2008
My Mind on Things North
by Jane Blaile, March 2008
Physically, I am back home. But my mind and heart still have pieces in Alaska – with the people I met and at the places I was. On the trail every day, I’d wake up and have to ask myself, “Where am I?” That has happened to me several days since I’ve been back! One day I woke up thinking about where I was. When I realized I was home in Phoenix, I asked myself, “Is the Iditarod over?” I guess some of my thoughts are still catching up with me. I have had dreams about mushers traveling along the trail and being at checkpoints.Everything around me reminds me of my experience. I thought a bumper sticker promoting the county sheriff’s department stated “Honorary Musher”. But it said “Honorary Member”. When I was checking things off a list with my daughter, I told her I was being the “checker”. Playing cribbage with my husband and father-in-law, I pointed out that the two highest scorers were Lance Mackey and Jeff King and the last was the Red Lantern winner. Those are silly, but true examples! I suppose my family and friends might tire of the Iditarod references, but I never will. My experience along the trail is over, but my experience of the Iditarod is not.
Read Jane’s thoughts on her visit to the school in Nome.
Jane shared her thoughts in the 2008 Race Guide:
Being the Teacher on the Trail has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my lifetime. It has stretched me to grow personally and professionally in ways I might otherwise not have. I’m grateful to the Iditarod Education Committee for selecting me and I look forward to many years of involvement with the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.
Kim Slade 2008 Teacher on the Trail™
Iditarod is still a big part of my everyday life. I love raising my Alaskan husky, Kenai, who has become a valued member of my family and
community. She and I travel to schools and organizational meetings throughout the state giving presentations. My fifth grade class loves
having her visit and the children have learned a lot. I also have stayed in contact with many of the new friends I made when in Alaska.
One of my favorite experiences (besides interacting with the dogs) was meeting the variety of people along the trail. Everyone was willing to help provide me with a memorable experience which has allowed me to share a multitude of stories from the trail – making it very personal. I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank You” to everyone who made my Iditarod experience the “experience of a life time!”
A Sum of the Parts
By Terrie Hanke, 2006 Teacher on the Trail™
The adventure of a lifetime, the highlight of a professional career, an unbelievable journey, a transforming experience – try as I might, there are no words that can thoroughly or adequately summarize my journey as the 2006 Teacher On The TrailTM.
I’m not the only person who is at a loss for words when it comes to describing time spent on the Iditarod trail. Rookie, Chad Schouweiller found himself in the same position standing under the burled arch in Nome. Chad was the 61st musher to cross the finish line at 5:22 on Sunday morning, March 19th. Standing with his mother and handler, Martha Schouweiller, Chad seemed to be at a loss for words too. He said, “Mom you can’t believe what it’s like out there – it’s just… it’s just unbelievable!” Chad was clearly thrilled with earning the coveted belt buckle as a rookie finisher but he was also deeply awed by the beauty and challenges he experienced during his 13 days on the trail. Chad just couldn’t find the words to describe his journey with his dog team.
My adventure on Iditarod’s learning trail began one hot summer afternoon. I checked the Iditarod website to see who was signed up for the 2002 Iditarod. While on the site, I also noticed the Teacher on the Trail tab. Looking into that further, I was surprised to find there was a teacher who actually went out on the trail, created lessons and acted as a link from the trail for students and teacher as they followed the race in their classrooms. Of course, I sent for the application and was taken back by the description and requirements of the position. I was a veteran teacher, I was a dog handler, I’ve done some mushing and I’ve been a wilderness canoe guide but did I use the Iditarod in my classroom, did I know how to respond to animal rights activist who attacked the sport of mushing, did I have a vision for the Wells Fargo Teacher on the Trail program? No! If I was interested in pursuing what seemed to be a very unique opportunity in education, I first had to educate myself. I jumped at the opportunity to attend Iditarod’s Summer Professional Development Conference and spent a week with other teachers who wanted to learn about using Iditarod as a theme for education – many were neophytes like myself and others were veterans looking for new ideas and willing to share personal experiences. I returned to school in the fall with new and exciting ideas for my physical education classes and for my athletes. A year later, I found myself presenting at the summer conference.
The conference participants were mostly elementary teachers with a few middle school folks mixed in. Most taught core subjects. I believed that Iditarod as an educational theme would be just as interesting for high school students as it was for younger students and just as valuable for students in physical education, art, marketing, foreign language and family/consumer education classes as well as athletes. Being that all of the previous teachers on the trail had been elementary teachers, I felt it was time for somebody to accept the challenge of expanding the teacher on the trail program beyond elementary reading, writing and arithmetic. That was my goal as I applied to be the 2006 Wells Fargo Teacher on the TrailTM.
During my year as TOTTTM and as I journeyed to Alaska, I focused on a few important goals. First was to create a wide variety of lessons appropriate for secondary use as well as elementary. Second, I wanted to expand student awareness of Native Alaskan culture. Thirdly I hoped to enlighten students regarding all that goes into preparing for the race well before the countdown at the ceremonial start. Finally, knowing it would be a challenge to locate Internet, I hoped to post daily so that students could have a new message from the trail every morning. Looking back on this tremendous adventure, I’m happy with the progress I made toward reaching these goals.
It’s very difficult to select just a few experiences from the Iditarod trail to share or to summarize my journey. Everyday of the 4 weeks that I spent in Alaska for Iditarod XXXIV was filled with meaningful memories. Here are a few stories that highlight my experiences during the time I was on the trail but by no means do they capture the whole adventure.
The weekend before “Big Iditarod,” the juniors have their Iditarod. With heavy snow falling, the 14 – 17 year old mushers departed Willow heading to Yentna Station. Planes were grounded but I was fortunate enough to be a priority person and traveled to Yentna via snowmachine. Robert Tikitum, Jr. was mushing a team owned by the Yupiit School District in Tuluksak, AK. The whole school is involved in the care and training of the team. It is a tremendously valuable experience for the children at the school to realize that customs and ways of living dating back to early ancestors have a place in modern life. Robert was chosen as the musher because he had the most experience of the village youth in mushing. Robert was one of 23 mushers in the Junior. They were all diligent as they tended to their dogs after arriving at Yentna. It stopped snowing, the skies cleared and the temperatures plummeted. It was the job of the first junior in to Yentna to build the bonfire for all the mushers to enjoy. At 3:18 the next morning, after an 11-hour mandatory layover, with the temperature at 30 below, Rohn Buser left Yentna followed closely behind by Micah Degerlund, Ellen King and defending champion, Melissa Owens. Degerlund was the first to reach the finish line in Willow.
Except for short jaunts between the airstrip and village checkpoints, that was the only time I traveled by snowmachine. The bush pilots of the Iditarod Air Force transported all Iditarod personnel to wherever they were needed. For the most part, I flew with Iditarod photographer Jeff Schultz. Being where Jeff was, I was always in the midst of the action along the trail, even if it was pretty cold getting there. With Danny Davidson as our pilot, I usually sat in the back jump seat directly behind Jeff. He took a lot of photos from the air. To do so, he opened his window leaving me to experience the full blast of frigid air. When Jeff thought it was a worthy photo opportunity, I snapped a picture too. I learned to wear my warmest clothes when flying and have my camera ready at all times.
It doesn’t make any difference where or what you teach, teachers always have things in common. While in Nicolai, McGrath, Takotna, Ruby, Galena, Unalakleet and Nome, I took advantage of Internet access at the schools and felt fortunate to visit with the people living and teaching in those communities. Depending upon the size of the village, some schools are larger but others have less than 20 students grades K thru 12. In the small schools there might only be 1 or 2 teachers. Some villages have no school whatsoever or perhaps just grades K thru 8. Where there is no school, the students are home schooled or when they reach high school, some students attend the Galena Interior Learning Academy where they can finish high school and receive technical education as well. In Takotna, a village of 55, every man, woman and child worked in some capacity as a volunteer for Iditarod. The school age kids worked for 12-hour shifts raking and bagging the straw bedding left behind by the mushers. The children worked hard and took pride in a job well done. I raked straw with the kids and heard lots of great stories about school and life in their village.
While in Ruby, I had the humbling opportunity to meet Susan Butcher and Emmitt Peters, both former Iditarod Champions. Susan, a four time Iditarod Champion who a waits a bone morrow transplant in her fight against Leukemia was acting as a volunteer checker. Susan has long been a role model for girls and women thru being successful in the largely male dominated sport of mushing now offers a new perspective as she fights cancer which she cays is a formidable but definitely beatable opponent. Best wishes Susan as you continue the fight to regain your health. Emmitt Peters won the Iditarod in 1975 as a rookie. He has run Iditarod a total of 12 times and placed in the top 10 in eight races. No wonder people consider him to be the “Yukon Fox.” Billy McCarty, Sr. was one of the serum runners who carried the precious cargo in 1925 from Ruby to Whiskey Creek. I met his sons Billy Jr. and Pat. Every village along the way had colorful and knowledgeable individuals who were living historians of The Last Great Race. What an opportunity to listen to their stories!
The dog teams faced fierce winds as they worked their way down the Yukon River toward Unalakleet on the Gold Coast. I was fortunate in that the weather cooperated, winds died down to just 30 mph sustained with gusts to 40 mph, allowing the Iditarod Air Force to land at Unk in time to greet the first musher to reach the coast, Jeff King. I was on hand for the presentation of the award along with $2,500 dollars in golf nuggets! The Students of Unalakleet were very involved with activities at the checkpoint. Their student broadcast team interviewed mushers, veterinarians, race officials, Iditarod volunteers and spectators. They also shot video footage of activities in and around the checkpoint. The clips were edited and used during the Bering Strait School District’s videoconference project. This project truly demonstrated the use of Iditarod as a theme for education. Awesome!
As the teams approached Nome, I realized that my time on the trail would soon be over. Nome was a very exciting place to be. I was there to cheer for Jeff King as he crossed the finish line as Iditarod XXXIV champion as well as all the other winners as they came up Front Street and crossed under the burled arch. It was a victory for every dog team that completed the race. Even though the mushers had all traveled the same route, their individual experiences were completely unique. Some were there to pursue the championship; others were there to learn the trail, others to gain experience for a puppy team, others to test themselves and their dogs and others for the sake of renewing memories from previous runs. To say the least, it was a spiritual experience for all who made the journey. It was a journey that affected me personally, professionally, and spiritually and more than likely in ways I have yet to realize.
A sincere thank you to those businesses and individuals who provided me with money, goods, services, mentoring, collaboration and friendship. Thanks to Wells Fargo and the Iditarod Trail Committee for investing in education by supporting the Wells Fargo Teacher on the TrailTM program. In ways that may never fully be understood, your investment brings education to life for students around the world. Thanks to my employer, the Eau Claire Area School District for realizing the extensive impact of the Teacher on the Trail program and allowing me to teach well beyond the walls of my classroom and boundaries of our school district. Teacher on the Trail isn’t a 365-day adventure. It continues for a lifetime and I look forward to sharing my ideas and experiences in new and exciting ways in the future.
To Read Terrie’s messages from the Iditarod Trail and during the 2005 – 2006 school year, Click Here!
Memories March 23, 2001, Diane Nye, 2001 Teacher on the Trail™
How can I sum up the entire Iditarod Teacher on the Trail experience? It started three years ago and I have so many wonderful memories. But let me stick with the last month. I can’t begin to tell you how much learning I have done; I’ve taught with the race in my classroom for the last twelve years. Kids, there is always much more to learn!
The Junior Iditarod is a wonderful event that doesn’t receive much coverage. I loved watching the young mushers work with their dogs and race competitively. More importantly, I’ve watched these young competitors over the last month and seen the friendships that have developed. Seven of them went to Nome for the finish of the Iditarod and spent a lot of time hanging out with each other, as typical teenagers do! I am very encouraged for the future of mushing when I see these young athletes and their love of the sport.
Each checkpoint is a different experience and I thank all of the volunteers for enriching my understanding of the place I was in. Each is unique; each volunteer is unique and has his or her own reasons for volunteering. My best experiences were often the least planned. I was at the finish line in Nome, posing for photos with Jeff Schultz, the Iditarod’s official photographer. I looked down on the ground and saw an ermine scurrying across the chute; it looked confused by the snow fences and ran back up onto the chute and down again. It spent so much time there that I was able to point it out to Jeff who was amazed to see it on Front Street. An ermine is a weasel that is white in the winter with a black tip on its’ tail. Gorgeous animal, short experience, but very memorable.
Meeting Ann Bowers, Don Bowers’ sister, was another highlight of my trip. Don was my cyber-friend and he died last June in a plane crash. Ann was personable, just like Don. It was a delight to spend time with her and visit about the race. She was learning to love it, like Don did.
Seeing the Northern Lights was just an incredible experience. I’ve already written about it so I won’t say anymore.
The vets and their care of the dogs will always stay with me. Why would a practicing doctor give up two or three weeks of salary to come to the Iditarod? They love the dogs and want them to have the best care! My hats off to the vets!
I am in awe of how many Alaskan men are readers. I would think that the same would hold true for Alaskan women but I was stranded, due to poor weather conditions, with the men so I noticed them reading! When we were in several of the checkpoints, the Alaskan men pulled out novels and read. The big burly trail sweeps probably wouldn’t want me to tell you that after the evening meal, they all settled in with books. I was so impressed!
Unalakleet was a place that I didn’t get to spend enough time. I walked on the shoreline and viewed the fish drying racks. That is a memory that will never leave me. I wished that I could have seen more checkpoints; everyone assures me that I’ll be back.
In the late afternoon one day, Jeff Schultz came in with his computer and someone else had a projector. Jeff showed us his photos of the race up to that point. It was like looking at the 2002 Iditarod calendar as Jeff’s photos are the ones that will be used for the official calendar. It was a very spur of the moment event and the twenty or so gathered volunteers were very appreciative of Jeff’s willingness to share with us! You’ll want to buy those calendars for 2002! There were many awesome photographs! Like I said earlier, it was often the spur of the moment, unplanned events that stick out in my mind.
Getting to this point in the Teacher on the Trail process was not easy. I had the support of the entire community; thank you, Elizabeth, Colorado! The Parent-Teacher-Community Organization at Running Creek Elementary School organized my fundraisers and they were awesome! They know how to organize chili dinners. My art teacher, Nancy Mowers, has twice run student art contests and auctions; thanks to Mrs. Mowers and the students! The local artists have also held art auctions for me; thank you, Becky!
I also have to thank everyone who wrote to me, either before the race or while I was on the trail. I enjoyed getting letters of support when I could get a phone line. It was amazing to hear what some of you do in your classrooms and to know that our profession has so many creative people in it.
I also had the support of many wonderful friends and coworkers; you know who you are! Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
My family – my parents, children, brothers, aunts, uncle, cousins, and my dear husband – have all been so wonderful. I could not have made it to this point and along the trail without all your support! My husband has been holding down the home front (and delivered eight puppies while I was in McGrath) and I can never repay him for all he’s done to support my dreams. Thank you!
Thank you for the opportunity of a lifetime to the Iditarod Trail Committee and their Board of Directors. It has been the greatest experience!
Happy Trails!
Diane Nye
2001 Iditarod Teacher on the Trail™
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Diane Johnson, 2000 Teacher on the Trail™
Nome to Home
Posted By: Diane Johnson
Sunday, 26 March 2000, at 11:45 p.m.
Nome and Home
When I first approached Nome, anxious about seeing the first musher to Nome, and at the same time, feeling a little down about the Iditarod coming to an end, I wondered how I was going to feel when it was time to head for home. After all, the end means things are over and done with. I recognized, however, when my learning adventure was done, it really wasn’t done at all. It was really just beginning. Each day is an opportunity to learn and experience things. Each day is an opportunity to remember what you have experienced and learned, and an opportunity for you to draw on that experience to help you set goals and learn from what you face the next day. Each day is an opportunity. By meeting the opportunity, you can have an interesting life.
I have not been home long, but have been asked many times questions like, what was your favorite checkpoint or what did you like best?
The best thing about traveling is always getting home to family and friends. That must be made clear before I go any farther. That sets the purpose for what you have done and how you will use what you have learned along the way. Getting home is a wonderful thing!
Having said that and being clear with everyone on that, what about the bests and the favorites? What did I learn that will help me? Where do I go from here?
I just can’t answer a question like that; I can’t answer it yet, anyway. I need time to think through my experiences. I need time to study, listen, and rethink. I have many things to assess. I have photographs to get developed, notes to read through, video to watch, books to read, and time to absorb my experiences. During the past year I set and developed goals and put a plan into action. I am overwhelmed by what I have done and where I have been.
I find it hard to answer the questions because each day of my adventure on the learning trail gave me a new set of circumstances to explore and learn from. Every time you experience a learning adventure like this, every time you learn something new, it leaves an imprint on your mind and soul. Those imprints help to continually mold you and they become a part of you. What I have done and experienced are now a part of the “who” that I am. Even though I am the same person, I am now different in many ways.
When I look at the South Dakota night sky, I know that it is the same sky I saw in Alaska, but I have stood beneath the Big Dipper now and watched the beauty of the Northern Lights. The night sky, no matter where I am, will remind me that I am but one small thing in a very great and amazing land. If I don’t take time to stop, look up, watch the world around me, I will not see or understand what is around me. I will miss the teaching and learning opportunities.
I have walked on the tundra. I have heard the crunch beneath my boots as I walked. I have fallen through the ground below to find one foot on the path; the other buried past my knees in the frozen snow. I have used my strength to pull my leg up and out and continue on the path, listening more carefully to the crunch, ready for the next time when the snow gives way beneath my feet. I know it is important to listen to the world around me, to listen to nature, to the environment. I need to sharpen my senses and keep my best foot moving forward, not buried in the snow.
I have listened to Harold, an elder who has lived his whole life in White Mountain. I have listened to Joe, in Skwentna, as he told me of his life. I have listened to Anna Otten, as she showed me how she makes her dolls, and explained the kinds of animal fur that is used. I have listened to mushers, musher’s wives, vets, pilots, the “comms guys”, the checkers, and so many others as they shared thoughts, stories, and dreams. I have watched and listened as trail sweeps encouraged a rookie musher to keep going. I have listened to many share stories from their life. Listening is important ingredient in learning. It is much more important than any words I can ever say.
I have felt the strong, snow blowing winds in Unalakleet, as they took my breath away as I tried to walk and talk. The sounds of the village were lost in the wind; the force of the wind determined the path that we walked on. I remember watching three other pilots holding on to the wings of Roger’s Super Cub as we readied for take of so that we could indeed take off from Unalakleet. When I feel the wind, I will be reminded of the strength of people. People are a powerful force. When people work together, many things can be accomplished. A dog sled race runs from Anchorage to Nome because volunteers, checkers, dog handlers, vets, pilots, communications people, race judges, and so many others work together to make sure that it happens. A small plane safely lands and takes off due to people power on the wings. A teacher flies the Iditarod Trail and learns lessons because people work together to raise funds and find sponsors for the expenses of such a learning adventure. A child finds success because parents, teachers, child care providers, and others help that child grow. Stop and think for a moment and you will be able to list many times when the power of people working together has resulted in success.
Each step of the trail, even when I had to pull myself out of the deep snow, was filled with moments to learn from. I embraced each moment and tried to draw from it the things that I could. I will better understand the lessons from the trail as I listen to those around me and remember what I have seen.
I embrace tomorrow, as I head back to school, fresh off the learning trail, but ready to not just be a teacher in the classroom, but more importantly to be a student. “In teaching you will learn, in learning you will teach.” Each day is an adventure when you allow it to be an adventure. Each adventure is an opportunity for you to learn. Each time you learn you have an opportunity to teach.
It is an interesting life and I love it!
Diane Johnson 1412 S. Melgaard Aberdeen, SD 57401