HUMAN

Name: Jim Deprez

Age: 41

Residence: Hilliard, Ohio

Occupation: Teacher

Years involved with the Iditarod: This is my first year out on the trail, I guess, but I’m the teacher on the trail. I’ve been teaching Iditarod for 15 years.

Iditarod Roles: Teacher on the trail this year for 2022.

Current Location: Unalakleet, Alaska

Date of Photo: March 13, 2022

Temperature: 68F Indoors/ 8F Outdoors

What, who or how and when did you first get involved with the Iditarod?

I first became involved with Iditarod right out of grad school. I took over as a long-term sub for a teacher on maternity leave, teaching second grade and saw how much the kids were drawn to their Iditarod unit and the dogs, and the competition was a great blend of the two so the kids were hooked.

What is your Why? Why are you here TODAY and involved with the Iditarod?

I’m here today involved with the Iditarod because every year I see a new group of students and their love for this sport. This event has been amazing year after year. I’m going continue to teach it until I can’t anymore.

Tell me about just one of your most memorable Iditarod experiences.

One of my most memorable Iditarod experiences was getting to meet Matthew Failor at his kennel in 2020. My class has been talking to him for years because we’re both Ohio State alums and he’s been wonderful to work with, so actually getting to meet him was just incredible.

What in life do you know for sure?

What I know for sure in life is that things don’t always turn out as you planned, especially as I’ve learned this year. It’s just all about how you deal with the things that come up and move forward. It’s all about the positive attitude.