2000 Diane Johnson, SD After Diane’s journey along the Iditarod Trail, she returned to Alaska many times to assist with the educator conferences and as a mentor for the Teacher on the TrailTM. Alaska seemed to ‘grow’ in her South Dakota backyard as her family became involved with raising sled dogs. Her husband, Mark, and Michael, their son, are now involved in racing. Michael’s goal is to race in the Jr. Iditarod. Diane is the Education Director for Iditarod. “The journey along the trail cannot be summed up in words but instead is written across the sky in the northern lights and imprinted on my heart and soul. I’m blessed to share my experiences with the teachers and classrooms I meet because I know that using the theme of the race with students empowers students to success. I am grateful to be involved with the Last Great Teaching Race— Iditarod.”
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Press Release April 1999:
The Iditarod Trail Committee is proud to announce the selection of its second Iditarod Teacher on the TrailTM. Diane Johnson, a fourth grade teacher at May Overby School in Aberdeen, SD, was selected from over 15 applicants for the position.
The selection process included an extensive application process from which three finalist were chosen. The finalists were required to come to Alaska for the week of the start of Iditarod 1999 to have personal interviews and be observed under different circumstances. “It was a very difficult decision,” said selection committee chairperson, Wrex Diem after the announcement was made. “Each of the applicants was extremely qualified and had the personality and desire to be an excellent representative for the educational community and the Iditarod’s educational program.”
Diane has been using the Iditarod Race in her classroom for many years, she was first introduced to the sport when Vern Halter visited the Aberdeen area. Each year, Diane has added to her unit on the Iditarod and has incorporated the Iditarod into much of her present teaching style and units of study.
Diane Johnson was born and raised in Hendricks, MN. She and her husband Mark, have 3 children, Melissa, 18, Scott, 14 and Michael 2 and a half.
The Iditarod Trail Race has provided teachers around the world with a “hook” to grab their students’ interest. Students are enthusiastic about learning how to figure the amount of booties and dog food a mushers must have for his team. They learn to find checkpoints on the map; read books about the Arctic, Alaska, dog mushing and other winter activities. They learn about courage, sticking with your dreams and teamwork.
Teachers wishing to apply for the 2001 Teacher on the Trail position should contact the Iditarod Trail Committee to request an application packet.
From the 2000 Iditarod Website: Diane’s Biography
Diane was born in Hendricks, Minnesota to Harvey and Delores Buchholz. She is the oldest of 6 children. She graduated from Augustana College, Sioux Falls, SD with a teaching degree in 1977.
She married Mark Johnson in 1976. They have 3 children: Melissa 19, Scott 16 and Michael 4.
She moved to Aberdeen, SD in 1976 and worked for 2 years at Dakota House – a half way house for troubled teens, before being hired by the Aberdeen school district as a 5th grade teacher at May Overby Elementry School where she is still teaching.
She has been very involved in the Aberdeen Education Association serving as vice-president and then as President 2 years and is currently on the contract negotiations team. She is also active in in the South Dakota Education Association serving on various boards and committees.
She became interested in the Iditarod several years age when Iditarod Musher, Vern Halter, originally from South Dakota, visited her school. She saw how excited the kids got over the dogs and the race and thought the Iditarod would be a great way to “hook” kids on learning. Since then she has incorporated the Iditarod into all the subjects she teaches with great results.
Diane has also “hooked” hundreds of other teachers on the Iditarod thru seminars she gives and workshops she attends around the Midwest. She is available for presentations anywhere in the USA.
Diane is a big Minnesota Viking fan. Consequently most everything in her school room is purple. That is why the name Purple Palace has been given to her classroom.
The following articles appeared on the website for the 2000 Iditarod Teaching season. (Articles to be uploaded soon!)
On the Trail with Books! (views: 1337)
Monday, 27 March 2000, at 9:58 p.m.
Nome to Home (views: 1244)
D iane Johnson –Sunday, 26 March 2000, at 11:45 p.m.
The Banquet in Nome (views: 1615)
Diane Johnson — Tuesday, 21 March 2000, at 5:00 a.m.
My Iron Dog Experience (views: 4144)
– Saturday, 18 March 2000, at 8:31 p.m.
Mushers in Nome! (views: 3680)
Diane Johnson — Thursday, 16 March 2000, at 10:37 p.m.
The Price of Milk and Potatoes in Nome (views: 1816)
Diane Johnson — Thursday, 16 March 2000, at 8:13 p.m.
There is No Place Like Nome (views: 2842)
Diane Johnson — Wednesday, 15 March 2000, at 10:53 p.m.
Hello from White Mountain (views: 9028)
Diane Johnson — Tuesday, 14 March 2000, at 11:26 a.m.
Eleven to Twelve Minutes (views: 11476)
Diane Johnson — Monday, 13 March 2000, at 1:08 a.m.
Winter Carnival in Galena (views: 2460)
Diane Johnson — Sunday, 12 March 2000, at 8:02 p.m.
Hello from Galena! (views: 2092)
Diane Johnson — Sunday, 12 March 2000, at 3:45 a.m.
Wind and Weather (views: 1961)
Diane Johnson — Sunday, 12 March 2000, at 3:43 a.m.
Grocery Store Math: Ruby / Iditarod (views: 2628)
Diane Johnson — Friday, 10 March 2000, at 3:42 p.m.
Welcome to Ruby (views: 2866)
Diane Johnson — Friday, 10 March 2000, at 12:15 a.m.
Hello from McGrath! (views: 3096)
Diane Johnson — Wednesday, 8 March 2000, at 11:08 p.m.
Hello from Skwentna (views: 4888)
Diane Johnson — Tuesday, 7 March 2000, at 2:21 a.m.
Saturday: Race Start: Iditarod 2000 Activities (views: 6664)
Diane Johnson — Sunday, 5 March 2000, at 3:43 a.m.
Are You Ready for a Banquet? (views: 3323)
Diane Johnson — Thursday, 2 March 2000, at 4:16 a.m.
Jr. Iditarod 2000 (views: 3482)
Diane Johnson — Monday, 28 February 2000, at 2:21 a.m.
Hello from Anchorage! (views: 3787)
Diane Johnson — Friday, 25 February 2000, at 2:22 a.m.
Iditarod Snack! (views: 3847)
Diane Johnson — Tuesday, 22 February 2000, at 7:48 a.m.
Musher’s Banquet! (views: 2354)
Diane Johnson — Tuesday, 22 February 2000, at 7:39 a.m.
A “Trail” of Writing! (views: 2665)
Diane Johnson — Friday, 18 February 2000, at 10:41 p.m.
Iditarod Fun Night (views: 2473)
Diane Johnson — Tuesday, 15 February 2000, at 9:59 p.m.
Where is MO? (views: 2060)
Diane Johnson — Monday, 14 February 2000, at 11:22 p.m.
Trail Buddies Build Sleds (views: 2474)
Diane Johnson — Monday, 14 February 2000, at 11:04 p.m.
Are You Ready For Some Mushing? (views: 2264)
Diane Johnson — Saturday, 12 February 2000, at 8:14 a.m.
Alaska / Iditarod Grammar Practice (views: 3294)
Diane Johnson — Friday, 11 February 2000, at 10:53 p.m.
Map That Musher! (views: 4240)
Diane Johnson — Tuesday, 8 February 2000, at 5:45 a.m.
Adventures of the Burled Arch (views: 1608)
Diane Johnson — Monday, 7 February 2000, at 12:08 a.m.
Lessons from the Tustumena 200 (views: 1460)
Diane Johnson — Sunday, 6 February 2000, at 10:22 a.m.
Writing Letters! Email Trail! (views: 1762)
Diane Johnson — Sunday, 6 February 2000, at 1:38 a.m.
Northern Lights (views: 2686)
Diane Johnson — Sunday, 6 February 2000, at 12:05 a.m.
Picture the Northern Lights (Art) (views: 3024)
Diane Johnson — Sunday, 30 January 2000, at 4:39 a.m.
Your State, Their State, Our States (views: 2036)
Diane Johnson — Saturday, 29 January 2000, at 12:11 a.m.
Goals: You Set Them! Do Mushers? (views: 1910)
Diane Johnson — Sunday, 23 January 2000, at 12:59 p.m.
Current Events in the Classroom: Iditarod (views: 2357)
Diane Johnson — Sunday, 23 January 2000, at 11:42 a.m.
Creative Problem Solving Activity (views: 2332)
Diane Johnson — Saturday, 22 January 2000, at 11:39 p.m.
Building Sleds! (views: 3384)
Diane Johnson — Tuesday, 18 January 2000, at 12:05 a.m.
Cooking for Your Pet! (views: 2169)
Diane Johnson — Friday, 14 January 2000, at 5:00 a.m.
Trail Mail Number 6 (views: 1529)
Diane Johnson — Friday, 14 January 2000, at 4:44 a.m.
Iditarod Trivia: Set 8 (And the Winner Is….) (views: 2425)
Diane Johnson — Sunday, 9 January 2000, at 10:16 a.m.
Trail Mail Number 5 (views: 1248)
Diane Johnson — Saturday, 8 January 2000, at 11:54 a.m.
Iditarod Trivia: Set 7 (Jr. Iditarod) (views: 1499)
Diane Johnson — Saturday, 8 January 2000, at 11:06 a.m.
Trivia Questions: Important Information (views: 2118)
Diane Johnson — Friday, 7 January 2000, at 9:36 p.m.
Iditarod Trivia: Set 7 (views: 1600)
Diane Johnson — Tuesday, 4 January 2000, at 6:54 p.m.
Iditarod Trivia: Set 6 Rules (views: 1549)
Diane Johnson — Monday, 3 January 2000, at 7:12 a.m.
Iditarod Trivia: Set 5 (In the Year…) (views: 1342)
Diane Johnson — Sunday, 2 January 2000, at 5:57 p.m.
Iditarod Trivia: Set 4 (Vocabulary) (views: 1955)
Diane Johnson — Sunday, 2 January 2000, at 5:38 p.m.
Iditarod Trivia: Set 3 (views: 1414)
Diane Johnson — Friday, 31 December 1999, at 9:41 a.m.
Iditarod Trivia: Set 2: 1925 Serum Run to Nome (views: 1729)
Diane Johnson — Friday, 31 December 1999, at 2:27 a.m.
Iditarod Trivia: Set 1 (History) (views: 2112)
Diane Johnson — Wednesday, 29 December 1999, at 9:34 a.m.
Iditarod Research: Worksheet Idea (views: 2507)
Diane Johnson — Monday, 27 December 1999, at 3:53 a.m.
From the Learning Trail: The Last Moments in My 1999 Classroom (views: 1280)
Diane Johnson — Friday, 24 December 1999, at 4:02 a.m.
Getting to know….. Mushers! (views: 2144)
Diane Johnson — Monday, 20 December 1999, at 12:38 a.m.
My Teacher Has Idita – Fever (views: 1356)
Diane Johnson — Sunday, 19 December 1999, at 10:21 p.m.
Idita – Write, Write, Write! (views: 1557)
Diane Johnson — Saturday, 18 December 1999, at 2:01 p.m.
Idita – Wishes from the Purple Palace (views: 903)
Diane Johnson — Saturday, 18 December 1999, at 10:04 a.m.
Stories from the Purple Palace (views: 897)
Diane Johnson — Thursday, 16 December 1999, at 3:53 p.m.
Santa Needs Sled Dogs! (Creative Writing) (views: 1031)
Diane Johnson — Monday, 13 December 1999, at 8:42 p.m.
Adopt a Musher! (views: 1926)
Diane Johnson — Sunday, 12 December 1999, at 8:46 a.m.
Gingerbread Houses! Trail Buddies! (views: 1039)
Diane Johnson — Saturday, 11 December 1999, at 8:38 a.m.
The Weather Station: A Partner in Learning (views: 1052)
Diane Johnson — Friday, 10 December 1999, at 10:39 p.m.
I’m the Lead Dog and You’re Not! (views: 1775)
Diane Johnson — Wednesday, 8 December 1999, at 11:31 p.m.
Trail Buddies (views: 1032)
Diane Johnson — Saturday, 4 December 1999, at 12:31 p.m.
Trail Mail Number 4 (views: 783)
Diane Johnson — Thursday, 2 December 1999, at 11:54 p.m.
Fill Your Sled (views: 1716)
Diane Johnson — Sunday, 28 November 1999, at 11:53 a.m.
Trail Mail Number 3 (views: 786)
Diane Johnson — Sunday, 28 November 1999, at 11:24 a.m.
Get on the Email Trail! (HINTS) (views: 1157)
Diane Johnson — Friday, 19 November 1999, at 11:31 p.m.
Idita – Email (views: 920)
Diane Johnson — Friday, 19 November 1999, at 10:56 p.m.
Do you igloo? (views: 1749)
Diane Johnson — Wednesday, 17 November 1999, at 10:47 p.m.
Weather Related Activities (views: 1220)
Diane Johnson — Wednesday, 17 November 1999, at 10:20 p.m.
Purple Palace Weather Station (views: 924)
Diane Johnson — Sunday, 14 November 1999, at 5:56 p.m.
Trail Mail Number 2 (views: 903)
Diane Johnson — Saturday, 13 November 1999, at 8:48 a.m.
On the Trail: Pierre, South Dakota (views: 973)
Diane Johnson — Thursday, 11 November 1999, at 8:56 p.m.
Idita – Lesson: Who, What, When, Where, Why : Secondary Level (views: 1708)
Diane Johnson — Monday, 25 October 1999, at 12:28 a.m.
Idita – Dance! (views: 1829)
Diane Johnson — Wednesday, 20 October 1999, at 8:47 p.m.
Idita – Songs (views: 2152)
Diane Johnson — Wednesday, 20 October 1999, at 7:49 p.m.
Idita – Classroom Management (views: 1664)
Diane Johnson — Sunday, 17 October 1999, at 1:05 p.m.
Idita – Goals Update (views: 1247)
Diane Johnson Teacher on the Trail 2000 — Sunday, 17 October 1999, at 11:16 a.m.
Homework: Criteria / Standards /Assessment (views: 1381)
Diane Johnson — Saturday, 16 October 1999, at 3:32 p.m.
Surprise! Homework time! (views: 1855)
Diane Johnson — Saturday, 16 October 1999, at 2:58 p.m.
Idita – Spelling and Vocabulary Development (views: 2336)
Diane Johnson — Saturday, 16 October 1999, at 12:23 p.m.
Idita – Goals (views: 1803)
Diane Johnson — Friday, 24 September 1999, at 12:32 a.m.
Trail Mail (views: 1935)
Diane Johnson — Friday, 17 September 1999, at 12:44 a.m.
Idita – Jobs (views: 1886)
The Idita – Classroom — Thursday, 16 September 1999, at 7:24 p.m.
Idita – ABC Bulletin Board (views: 2791)
Diane Johnson — Friday, 10 September 1999, at 1:09 a.m.
Standards / Objectives /Assessment (views: 2452)
Diane Johnson — Thursday, 9 September 1999, at 1:24 a.m.
Re: The Idita – Classroom! (views: 3824)
The Idita – Classroom — Thursday, 2 September 1999, at 8:22 p.m.
Beginning a New Year (views: 1889)
Iditarod Trail Committee, Inc — Monday, 30 August 1999, at 7:21 p.m.
Finney (views: 2691)
Iditarod Trail Committee, Inc. — Monday, 29 March 1999, at 3:44 a.m.