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.