Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
- Megan Dotson, a teacher at Antelope Canyon Elementary, supports her student, Lucas Ellis, who has leukemia.
- Dotson uses "Monkey in my Chair" to help Lucas feel included in class activities.
- Lucas' parents praise Dotson's efforts, including personalized mail and supportive T-shirts.
WEST JORDAN – A West Jordan Elementary school teacher went above and beyond to help bring healing and joy to one of her third grade students who has cancer.
Lucas Ellis, 8, has leukemia and is rarely in class. But thanks to his teacher, Megan Dotson, he's not missing a beat.
Dotson teaches at Antelope Canyon Elementary School in the Jordan School District.
Lucas, who was diagnosed with leukemia in June of 2023, learned in January of this year that his leukemia had returned.
"I've shed lots of tears over it," Dotson told KSL-TV. "I cried big tears and then I thought, how can I make him feel that there is not a day he's missing out on, because my classroom is a family."
That's when she came up with the idea she got from a nonprofit foundation meant to help kids in Lucas' situation. They call it "Monkey in my Chair."
Everywhere the class goes, the monkey, who they've named George, goes. Dotson documents everything for Lucas to see so he feels like he's a part of the class. George goes to the cafeteria, to P.E., to recess, to study groups. He does it all.
"I assured him that he wouldn't miss out on anything here in school," Dotson said with emotion. "That I would do anything to help him feel welcome and he wasn't missing out."
Lucas loved the idea.
"I think it's hilarious," he said. "(The monkey) is acting as me. It helps me stay confident and makes me happy when I'm not very happy about something."
Dotson has also created a mailbox for Lucas where kids can write well wishes.
Lucas read a couple of the letters to KSL-TV.
"Best cancer fighter in the world," said one. Another one said, "Always remember be brave, keep fighting, be strong, you are important. You got this!"
Dotson also made T-shirts for the class and for Lucas that read, "Smile Like Lucas."
Lucas' parents couldn't be more thankful for Dotson.
"Monkey in the chair is awesome," Marcela Ellis, Lucas' mom, said. "Having her take over and say, 'Hey we have this plan for you and we are going to take pictures.' It's just incredible what she's done and we didn't ask her."
"She genuinely cares about the students that she's teaching and their futures and their well-being," Jonathan Ellis, Lucas' dad, said.
