1999 Andrea Aufder Heyde, “Finney”, IN, “I am loving being retired from classroom teaching, but enjoy going back to do special presentations. The teaching passion is still there and it is such fun to walk in, spin my tales with great gusto, and then walk out! I am greatly inspired by my volunteer work and always look forward to my commitment. When I leave, my heart always feels touched by the patients I work with. I am also enjoying the time I am able to spend with my grandchildren. I never had that when I was teaching and feel so very lucky to have established a fun and wonderful relationship with them, that I just simply didn’t have time for before. Life is GOOD. I experienced many memorable moments during my trail journey, but the one that I seem to relive the most occurred in Nikolai. It involves an elder from the village, his grandson, and a display of Northern Lights that even the mushers spoke about after the race. I believe it was a gift I was given and I cherish the memory, which is instilled in my mind. It was truly a magical night in March, 1999!” Finney is also a member of the Teacher on the TrailTM selection committee.
FIRST TEACHER ON THE TRAIL 1999
Program Overview
Rogers Elementary School in Bloomington, Indiana is a C.L.A.S.S. School. C.L.A.S.S. is a special program in the state of Indiana otherwise known as: Connecting Learning Assures Successful Students. C.L.A.S.S. is focused on a connected curriculum, real-life application and the skills that propel us through life. The life skills are: Integrity, Initiative, Flexibility, Perseverance, Organization, Sense of Humor, Effort, Common Sense, Problem Solving, Responsibility, Patience, Friendship, Curiosity, Cooperation and Caring. The foundation of our approach is the establishing of the “Lifelong Guidelines” as our standard for behavior. A positive focus is created through the expectations of Trust, Truth, Active Listening, No Put Downs and Personal Best. We also stress the importance of “real life” experiences to enhance learning. I overwhelmingly have found an incredible learning experience to be shared through the Iditarod® Trail Sled Dog Race.
Every Monday morning our students gather in the gymnasium and a life skill is introduced to the entire school. This life skill is discussed over a two week period and parents are encouraged to “catch” their child using the life skill at home. They have received specific life skill forms and are to illustrate the skill by writing on the form how it was shown by their child. It is then returned to school and shared with the class or entire school
In my preparation for the Iditarod® Educational Journey, I speak to the students every other Monday morning. I explain to them how I am using that particular life skill to prepare for my journey. I will continue this until the Monday before I leave. In planning the life skills through my departure, I appropriately saved courage for the end since this is such an unbelievable journey for most of the students to fathom.
From Finney’s 1999 On Line Journal (1998 – 1999)
My classroom and school’s learning strategies are focused on the use of the life skills and I envision the Iditarod® Sled Dog Race as a grand illustration of these skills. This is my passion for wanting to go out on the trail and to send back to the Iditarod® website experiences that will allow students to actually see the life skills happening. In today’s world, students and adults sometimes forget to use the life skills in their daily life; in school, work place or home. I am passionate about these being an integral part of everyone’s life and the unquestionable fact that they are a crucial part of the Iditarod® Trail Sled Dog Race makes this educational journey a personal quest.
Images from Finney’s Classroom
