When I started as a first-year teacher, the internet was just beginning to find its stride—much like me, stumbling through the early days of my teaching career.
Back then, memes, GIFs, reels, and all the fleeting internet trends we know today were still a distant phenomenon. We didn’t have TikTok or viral videos to capture our collective imaginations, but we did have something just as powerful: a simple piece of wisdom found in the unlikeliest of places.
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One chilly morning, I bounced into the staffroom as a beginning teacher, ready to check the daily notices pinned on the board. There, amongst the announcements about meetings and lunch duty schedules, I spotted a hand-drawn image that immediately caught my eye. It was a cartoon of a dog’s rear end, leading a sled with the rest of the pack straining behind him. The drawing was inspired by the famous Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Alaska, an intense event where teams of at least twelve dogs, led by their ‘musher,’ race across the icy wilderness from Anchorage to Nome.
The Iditarod, which began in the early 1970s, is still as competitive today as it was back in 1973. It’s a race of endurance, teamwork, and leadership, where the dogs pull together with all their might to reach the finish line. But this article isn’t about Alaska or its freezing temperatures. It’s about a simple, powerful message I discovered under that drawing—a message that has stuck with me for 25 years and shaped my journey as an educator: “If you’re not the lead dog, the view never changes.”
The lesson of the lead dog
In any sled dog team, the lead dog is the one out front, setting the pace, steering the pack, and guiding everyone forward. It’s an enviable position but also a demanding one. The lead dog faces the brunt of the wind, forges the path through deep snow, and takes on the responsibility of keeping the team on track. The rest of the pack follows in its wake, often staring at the same tail for miles. It’s a metaphor that’s not only humorous but deeply insightful, especially for those of us in the world of education and leadership.
When I first saw that image and read the quote, I didn’t fully grasp its significance. I was still finding my feet, content to follow the experienced teachers and stay safely in the pack, staring at the tails before me. But over the years, I’ve realised that stepping into the role of the ‘lead dog’—whether as a teacher, a mentor, a coach, teacher aide or a school leader—means embracing change, forging new paths, and being willing to step out in front even when it feels daunting.
Why leadership matters in education
Just like the Iditarod’s lead dog, a school leader must set the pace and direction for the team. It’s about having a vision for the future and the courage to navigate uncharted territory. The world of education is constantly evolving, with new challenges, technologies, and student needs emerging every year. If we choose to stay in the middle of the pack, content with the status quo, we risk falling into a routine where the view never changes. But if we step up as leaders—teachers who innovate, mentors who guide and principals who inspire—we can transform the landscape of learning for our students and colleagues.
The power of perspective: Driving leadership and vision
“If you’re not the lead dog, the view never changes” is also a reminder about perspective. From the back of the pack, your view is limited; you’re following the same path that’s already been forged. But when you’re the lead dog, you get to see the horizon, the obstacles ahead, and the opportunities waiting to be seized. As educators, we should strive for that vantage point—not because we seek power or control, but because it allows us to better support our students, adapt our teaching, and create a dynamic, engaging learning environment.
For leaders, education and learning is the cornerstone of effective decision-making and strategic vision. Whether in the field of business, government, or social initiatives, or mustering a new trail in the snow, education provides leaders with the tools to navigate complexities, understand diverse perspectives, and foster innovation. Leaders who value education prioritise learning as a continuous process, not only for themselves but for the teams and organisations they guide. They recognise that an educated workforce is more adaptable, collaborative, and capable of critical problem-solving. Investing in education creates a ripple effect, empowering communities to embrace change and progress, ultimately driving sustainable growth and success.
Stepping up as the lead dog
Becoming the lead dog doesn’t mean you have to be the loudest voice in the room or the one with all the answers. It means being willing to take risks, try new things, and advocate for change when it’s needed. It means leading with empathy, understanding that every member of the team has their own strengths and struggles. And it means being brave enough to face the headwinds and the unknown, knowing that you’re guiding others toward something better.
For teachers, stepping into the lead dog role might look like trying a new teaching strategy, advocating for a student who needs extra support, or mentoring a new colleague. For school leaders, it might mean driving forward a new initiative, embracing innovative technology, or fostering a culture of collaboration and creativity. It’s about refusing to settle for the same old view and striving for something greater.
You see, when you strive for excellence, you are inadvertently building social progress and promoting equity. You are leading change for improvement and the chance to reach students from all walks of life and provide them with the skills and knowledge to overcome barriers and realise their potential. And within the sled, the lead dog cannot do this alone but their commitment to their pack is of excellence and endurance. As a school leader, it is a commitment to social equity and justice, ensuring that everyone has the chance to contribute meaningfully to society. By advocating for inclusive and equitable education, teachers and leaders become champions of social progress, breaking cycles of poverty and empowering communities to thrive.
Embrace the lead dog mentality
The quote I stumbled upon all those years ago has stayed with me because it captures a timeless truth about leadership. Whether you’re a beginning teacher navigating your way in this world, or an experienced educator leading a school, the message is clear: don’t be afraid to step into the front of the pack. Yes, it can be challenging, and yes, the wind may be strong, but the view is so much better up there.
The positives of education for teachers and leaders are profound and far-reaching. It is a source of empowerment, a driver of equity, and a catalyst for innovation. By embracing the power of education, teachers can inspire students to reach their full potential, and leaders can foster environments that prioritise growth, creativity, and progress. Together, they hold the key to unlocking a future where knowledge, compassion, and wisdom guide the way. Dr Rick Rigsby reminds us that education is not just an investment in the individual; it is an investment in humanity’s collective future, lighting the path toward a brighter and more prosperous world and to “make sure your servant’s towel is bigger than your ego. As ego is the anaesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity”.
E hoa mā; to my fellow educators—embrace your inner lead dog. Take the reins, set the pace, and don’t be afraid to forge a new path, even if it feels uncertain or challenging. Leadership in education isn’t about following the well-trodden trail but about blazing new ones that inspire growth, creativity, and transformation. Because if you’re not the lead dog, the view never changes.
At the same time, remember the power of the pack. Just as a team of sled dogs works in harmony, drawing strength from each other to overcome obstacles and reach their destination, we too must work collectively as educators and leaders. Each of us plays a vital role—sometimes leading, sometimes supporting—but always moving forward together.
In education, change is the heartbeat of progress, the pulse of innovation, and the path to creating a brighter future for our students. United as a pack, we can achieve remarkable things, ensuring no one is left behind and everyone contributes to shaping the future of learning. These e hoa mā, are lessons learned from our beloved four-legged friends.
