Waupaca teacher to experience Iditarod

WAUPACA - A pep rally was held Friday in Waupaca for a teacher who's heading north next week for the 2013 Iditarod as the national "Teacher on the Trail."

700 Waupaca elementary students belted out the Iditarod Trail song in the Waupaca Learning Center's gymnasium.

The pep rally for third grade teacher Linda Fenton also featured sled dog race related games.

You see, Fenton leaves Monday to experience the 1,049 mile Iditarod.

"It was kind of a whim," said Fenton.

Fenton's been teaching students about the race from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska for the last 12 years.

Her curriculum earned her the honor of being named the 2013 Teacher on the Trail.

"It's amazing, it's so fantastic, I'm nervous and excited," Fenton said.

Since her selection last Spring, Fenton has been blogging about her Iditarod-focused lessons.

They include everything from creating musher trading cards, to studying the Aurora Borealis.

"It covers all the curriculum: science, math, social studies, reading. Everything," explained Fenton.

During the Iditarod, Fenton will follow the racers on small planes piloted by volunteers.

She'll be stopping at various checkpoints where she'll blog and Skype, not just with her own students, but also students around the world about her experiences.

"An educator is able to see the kinds of things that really make a difference in the classroom and the experiences of the race. What's going on with the mushers and how they respond to challenges," said the Iditarod's Education Director, Diane Johnson.

Fenton's students look forward to hearing from her, and add it's been quite an experience learning about the Iditarod.

"I had never even heard of dog sled racing, that dogs would do that," said third grader Gabe Klug.

"It's just so cool that she was chosen, it's just like so amazing," said third grader Cecelia Harms.

While it's tough to say goodbye for five weeks, Fenton is looking forward to this once in a lifetime opportunity.

"Can't wait," she said with a big smile on her face.

Fenton leaves for Alaska on Monday.

She will teach in Anchorage for a couple of weeks before competitors depart from the city on March 3rd.

You can follow Fenton's blog by clicking here.