HILLIARD, Ohio — Ohio teacher Jim Deprez will have a front row seat at this year’s Iditarod trail sled dog race in Alaska, something he’s been teaching his students about for years.
“Everywhere I’ve gone, I’ve gone. I’ve always taught Iditarod and no matter what grade level, no matter what group of kids, they’ve always taken to it,” said Deprez.
The third grade teacher at Ridgewood Elementary in Hilliard has been chosen as the “Teacher on the Trail.” He will travel to Alaska in March to visit classrooms along the trail, as well as blog.
“I’m kind of an outdoor person myself, but, you know, 30 below, 40 below is a little nerve-racking, but I am excited about it, so I’m definitely going to grow as a person from this experience.”
Ridgewood Principal Kevin Buchman says he’s watched the opportunity come to life.
“I remember when he approached me last year with it. I was like, ‘This sounds amazing.’ We have an amazing superintendent, Dr. Marschhausen, who, too, was right on board with it and sure enough, through the whole process, we were with him and when he called me with the good news, it was so exciting,” said Buchman.
It’s an experience Deprez can’t wait to share with his students.
“The third grade team here is still going to be doing Iditarod stuff even while I’m up there, so for me being up there the same time they’re learning about it here and being able to Zoom with them, I’m really looking forward to that connection they’ll be able to make,” said Deprez.
