Deprez, who attended college in Ohio, has also taught in North Carolina. He has taught grades 2 and 5 as well as his current grade, 3. He has taught his students about the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race everywhere he has worked. Activities in which he has encouraged his students include designing their own miniature sleds. He also counts among his experiences being a volunteer at the race itself.

Since his selection in July 2020, Deprez has been periodically instructing students about the race and how they can use it to also study geography, math, and meteorology.

Those who serve as Teacher on the Trail are normally selected one year before the race. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Iditarod race organizers in 2021 made a number of changes, including canceling the ceremonial start and limiting access to non-competitors. Deprez was unable to perform his duties in 2021 and so has carried over into that capacity in 2022.

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The Teacher on the Trail program began in 1998, with a fund-raising effort by Andrea Aufder Heyde.

The race began in 1973.