A teacher from North Carolina has been named Teacher on the Trail for next year’s Iditarod race.

Martha Dobson, a sixth grade English and language arts specialist, has been involved in the race since 2005 and attended the Iditarod Teaching Conference in Alaska, reports the Anchorage Daily News.

The position involves travelling between the checkpoints during the race and providing online updates about the experience via a blog, so her students back home can also keep up with all the progress.

Ms Dobson said: "The challenge the race presents to mushers, dogs, students and me is a metaphor for the challenges of life and life opportunities."

In addition, she will help create and maintain a teaching curriculum, which will be previewed at the event’s winter conference in March and the Summer Camp for Educators in Wasilla from June 20th to 28th.

The final selection for the position came down to three candidates, with Ms Dobson’s dedication and involvement in the education side of the event since 2005 helping her to secure the award.