“The Driver”

Dear Teacher,  

Last week I worked with teachers and pastors from all over the state of Alaska.  During my time there, I took a field trip to the 2024 Iditarod race start.  Joining thousands of onlookers on-site, we bundled in down coats to protect against the -20 degree temps.  Standing on that frozen lake, I cheered along with the crowd as musher and dogsled teams bolted from the lineup, heading in a 9-day journey to far-north Nome.

In talking to champion dog mushers, I learned how vital it is for the driver to know each dog's alerts when they are in distress.  As one musher said, "These animals are so stoic, that my whole job is to run my eyes back and forth on the team, looking for signs that they need help.  Any change in the positioning of tail or twitch of the ear could be an indicator that they're hurt and need help.  The success of each dog and that of the whole team relies on my knowledge and support of them."

And you, teacher, there in your classroom, are the same way.  You are constantly using your knowledge of each student to ensure their personal success and that of the whole class.  You recognize that your job requires you to know their individual signs of academic, emotional, and social distress so you can provide help.  You look for their indicators: No lunch, poor attendance, erratic behavior, drooping grades.  And the second you realize, you bring healing, solutions, and accommodations to champion that student and drive them to the finish line!

Driving with you,
Mindy
Christian Educator & School Counselor