Make a Mighty Difference: Connie McCain

Make a Mighty Difference is Lucas Elementary's annual fundraising campaign. Librarian Connie McCain has shared some of the ways the funds raised through Make a Mighty Difference have impacted her and all Lucas students.

When the PTO offers financial support for the library, it has the potential to reach every single student and classroom. Every year the PTO purchases the American Library Association's book award winners, including the Newbery Award, Caldecott Award, and Coretta Scott King Awards. We also have an award in memory of the previous Lucas Librarian, Jean Gerig, and the PTO provides significant funding to purchase multiple copies of the nominated titles. Last year, the PTO funded a special purchase for the library. We replaced our last state book series, which was about 15 years old, with a new series, published in 2017! The books are attractive and informative, and the students love them! Fourth graders use them for research, and students in other grades check them out just for fun. We are so fortunate to have the PTO's active support and participation in our many Lucas endeavors! 

– Connie McCain, Lucas Librarian

Get to Know a Mighty Hawk: Mr. Graf

Each month, The Mighty Hawk Messenger profiles a Lucas staff member to help our community get to know him or her better.  This month, we talked to P.E. teacher Joe Graf, who has been teaching part time at Lucas for three years.  He also teaches at Shimek Elementary.

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  How long have you been an educator?

Mr. Graf:  I have been an educator since 2000, so eighteen years.

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  Where have you worked besides Lucas?

Mr. Graf:  I have worked at Clear Creek Amana at the North Bend building.  In Iowa City I have taught at Hoover, Garner, Weber, Van Allen, City High, Lincoln, Wickham, Alexander, South East, Lucas, and Shimek.

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  What's your favorite part of working with elementary students?

Mr. Graf:  I love to teach something new they may not have done before.

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  Who is an athlete or other public figure you admire, and why?

Mr. Graf:  Jesse Owens, because as an African American he showed Hitler what he and the USA could do in the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  What do you like to do when you're not working?

Mr. Graf: I am hanging out with my family, my wife and 30-year-old twins.

The Mighty Hawk Messenger:  What's something about you people might not guess?

Mr. Graf:  I taught Physical Education and Humanities to freshmen and sophomores at a high school in New York City in the South Bronx.