Interview with Chris Ripken

Age: 37

Hometown: Born in Colorado Springs, CO. I currently reside in Blaine, MN

What is your favorite food?

I like a wide variety of foods but my favorites include my grandma's beef stroganoff, spaghetti, and cheeseburgers fresh off the grill. I do my best to eat healthy but I'm known to devour a whole bag of Lifesaver Gummies in one sitting if tempted.

What kind of music do you like?

I love most types of music and generally have something playing around me much of the day. I have played guitar for a number of years and play in a band with my brother and some friends for fun.

Hobbies or interests.

I like to keep busy with many different activities including: basketball, playing guitar, snowboarding, golf, reading, photography, camping/backpacking, computers/video games, and spending time with family.

Favorite classes or subjects in school?

History and Geography have always been my favorite classes in school, but English isn't too far behind. We took a lot of family trips when I was young so I am fortunate to have visited many places in the US and have been inspired to learn about them.

Favorite childhood memories?

My grandparents have a cabin on a small lake in central Minnesota and we would spend a good deal of time there in the summer swimming, riding ATV's, and playing cards. Childhood bedtime stories really standout vividly. My mom would read my brother and I a story or my dad would up make up incredible tales.

How did you choose your current career path? Who or what inspires you?

I became a teacher because I like to learn and share information, and being around young people means you never have to fully grow up. I have had a number of Geography and History teachers who made places and people come alive: Craig Sturlaugson, Carl Metoxin, John Eret, and Greg Schmidt in junior high/high school as well as Kevin Cragg, G.W. Carlson, David Lanegran.

What advice do you have for the students of today?

Balance. Learn, exercise, play, relax, dream, cry, read, wash, laugh, give- do them all.

Why is it important to study the Arctic?

Learning about the "wild" places of the Earth is exciting but it is also a microcosm of our planet as a whole. Global climate change, transforming habitats, and the consequences of globalization all appear more clearly in smaller communities.

How and when did you first become a dog musher?

I have never owned a dog so this will all be new to me!

Why did you want to become a Teacher Explorer?

I have wanted to be the Teacher Explorer ever since I heard about it because it includes three of my favorite things: travel, technology, and teaching geography. It still hasn't completely set in that I was selected for the GoNorth! Nunanvut 2009 adventure learning expedition, except when I'm working out at 5 AM making sure that my body will be in good shape.

What do you hope students involved in GoNorth! will learn?

I often tell my students on the first day of the quarter that the best way to learn geography would be to board a bus right after learning their names and travel around the country together. I really feel GoNorth! is a great way for students to "board the bus" and see other parts of the world, to learn how people live and interact with the land, and to see how we are all interconnected.

Responsibilities on the trail

As the Teacher Explorer, I will be assisting with scientific and TEK data collection. I will also have the responsibilities of daily camp and travel preparations.