January 29, 2026
Marshwood Middle School Teacher Named 2027 Iditarod Teacher on the Trail Finalist
Mrs.Tami Schoff, a 6th-grade Language Arts teacher at Marshwood Middle School, has been named a 2027 finalist for the Iditarod Teacher on the Trail program, representing the state of Maine. Mrs. Schoff resides in South Berwick and teaches in Eliot.
The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race—often called “The Last Great Race on Earth”—is a nearly 1,000-mile endurance race held each March from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska. Teams of mushers and sled dogs travel through remote wilderness, across frozen rivers, mountain ranges, and tundra, facing extreme weather while honoring Alaska’s history and sled dog traditions.
Each year, teachers from around the world apply for the prestigious Teacher on the Trail position through a rigorous, multi-stage selection process. The process begins with a comprehensive portfolio submission due December 1, which serves as a candidate’s “foot in the door.” The portfolio includes showcase lessons, professional experiences relevant to the role, letters of support from school districts and administrators, a video submission, and detailed responses to situational questions designed to assess readiness for the responsibilities of the position.
Members of the Iditarod Education Committee carefully review and score each application. Based on these scores, applicants are ranked, and the top three candidates advance to the next round of the selection process.
Mrs. Schoff and the two other finalists are headed to Alaska February 28-March 9, the week leading up to the race, for the final steps in the interview process, where they will work closely with members of the Iditarod Education Committee, present at the Educators Conference, and complete a series of hands-on assignments that reflect the real responsibilities of the Teacher on the Trail role. This stage allows finalists to demonstrate their ability to engage educators, communicate effectively, and bring the Iditarod experience to classrooms around the world.
As a finalist, Schoff has already begun integrating the Iditarod into the 6th-grade curriculum at Marshwood Middle School. Students will learn about the race route, sled dog care and training, and explore the cultural significance of the race to Alaskan communities.
“Being named a finalist for Teacher on the Trail is an incredible honor,” said Schoff. “It’s been exciting through the years to see students so engaged as they connect classroom learning to a real-world event that highlights perseverance, teamwork, and resilience. If chosen, Mrs. Schoff would be the first teacher from Maine to represent her state in this great Alaskan adventure. The winner for the 2027 Iditarod Teacher on the Trail will be announced in April 2026.