Students Create Comfort Blankets for Iditarod Dogs
Students in Mr. Kevin Paolini’s class at our East Aurora site have been hard at work crafting comfort blankets, demonstrating both creativity and compassion. These thoughtful creations will soon be shipped to Alaska, where they will provide warmth and support to the hardworking dogs participating in the legendary Iditarod sled race.
Mr. Paolini was recently recognized as one of two finalists and the runner-up for the prestigious 2025 Iditarod Teacher on the Trail program. This honor highlights his dedication to integrating unique learning opportunities into the classroom. Julie Rzepecki, Special Education teacher at the East Aurora site, shared, “Our classes still continue to follow our yearly unit on the Iditarod, and our classes, led by his efforts, have made blankets for the Iditarod dogs now for three years.”
Last year, Mr. Paolini traveled to Alaska to participate in the Iditarod Winter Educators Conference. There, he was immersed in all aspects of Iditarod education, learning innovative ways to connect the iconic race to student learning. Rzepecki added, “Last year, as part of his finalist duties, Kevin engaged in many volunteer activities as part of the 2024 Iditarod race, including working checkpoints, helping to monitor the dogs and teams as well as working in the Communications room, helping to monitor radio communication between the mushers and the race centers.”
The learning doesn’t stop there. “Our classes continue to participate in the Iditarod Postcard Challenge as hosted by the 2020 Iditarod Teacher on the Trail and we will receive postcards from not only across the 50 states but also Canada and this year there are some European countries involved and we send our student designed NY state postcard sharing some information about our classes and NY state to all too!” Rzepecki explained.
Thank you to Mr. Paolini and his students for their outstanding efforts in making a difference both locally and globally. The comfort blankets are sure to make a meaningful impact in the Alaskan wilderness!
