Episode Details

Megan Dotson:
We found out that one of our little family members wasn't going to be able to come with us anymore. I immediately started just surfing the internet.

Anthony Godfrey:
It's a way to still feel like he’s somehow a part of things.

Marcela:
Oh, absolutely.

Anthony Godfrey:
Why do you think they want to call you a superhero?

Lucas:
Because I’m going through something so hard.

Marcela:
We didn't ask her to prepare plans. We didn't ask her to do anything. We just said, "Hey, he relapsed."

Anthony Godfrey:
Hello and welcome to the Supercast. I'm your host, Superintendent Anthony Godfrey. We all know that teachers care deeply for their students.

On this episode of the Supercast, we visit Megan Dotson's third grade class at Antelope Canyon Elementary School to find out what she is doing to support one of her beloved students battling cancer. Hear how her caring heart is lifting not just Lucas, who has leukemia, but the entire class in the process. She launched the “Smile Like Lucas” campaign and is providing opportunities for students that they will never forget.

We're at Antelope Canyon today talking with Lucas. Lucas, thanks for taking a few minutes to talk with me. I see “Smile Like Lucas” everywhere I look. I see shirts. I see sweatshirts. I see it written up on the whiteboard. Why are we smiling like Lucas today?

Lucas:
We just invented it and I really liked the idea. Even the idea of a monkey in the chair.

Anthony Godfrey:
Tell me about the monkey in the chair.

Lucas:
It came with a book, and it shows whenever you're not there, the monkey will be there, and it will be like wearing the exact same outfit as you. Except it will be wearing its own shirt, I think. It came with its own shirt, except we put on a little one like me.

Anthony Godfrey:
So is the monkey wearing a “Smile Like Lucas” shirt? And for those listening who don't know, why can't you be here sometimes?

Lucas:
Because I have hospital appointments and I have to stay in the hospital. And sometimes I might have to stay in there for maybe a month.

Anthony Godfrey:
I hear that you really love school. Is that right? What do you love most about school?

Lucas:
Spending time with the class and Miss Dotson.

Anthony Godfrey:
Tell me about your teacher. What has your teacher done that has made it such a great place to be?

Lucas:
We made Lucas Friday, the monkey in the chair. Well, really everything.

Anthony Godfrey:
What's Lucas Friday?

Lucas:
Lucas Friday. It's where everybody wears their “Smile like Lucas” shirt and then they come to school with it. Unless if your school doesn't do it. So then they come and it's short day so we do mostly fun things.

Anthony Godfrey:
Mostly fun things. And have you noticed that people smile like Lucas, like the shirt says? Do they? So I see your t-shirt and the sweatshirt and lots of other things as I walk into school that says “Smile Like Lucas” and it's got a big smile with lots of teeth and the blue glasses. Are the blue glasses kind of how people know you? Have you had the blue glasses for a long time?

Lucas:
There's even a ribbon.

Anthony Godfrey:
Oh yes, look at the orange ribbon. I didn't see the orange ribbon