Growing the Future: Hydroponics Takes Root in Carnegie Elementary Classrooms
Crafton Resident Shares Knowledge and Time with Elementary Students arlynton-Montour CARLYNTON SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
For the past ten years, Mary Luxbacher, a long time Crafton resident and local historian, has been partnering with first grade teachers at Crafton Elementary. Mrs. Luxbacher visits the first grade classrooms at least three times a year. In the winter, her visit focuses on the history of Crafton. She shares a presentation that she put together for the students detailing Crafton history that dates back hundreds of years. That visit is followed up by one each spring that includes a walking tour of Crafton. Also in the spring, she continues to bring her love for nature to students by coordinating tree planting through the PA Seedlings for School, an event that is a huge hit with the first graders.
A dedicated educator and active community member, Mary has spent her career fostering growth in children through both special education and environmental science. From early, impactful work with the Western Pennsylvania School for the Blind to a long tenure at Mt. Lebanon, her career has been defined by passion and hands-on learning.
This past fall, an exciting opportunity for innovation and collaboration began to take shape for Carlynton’ s youngest learners. Mrs. Jaylynn Leslie and Mrs. Lisa Price attended a hydroponics professional development session at Fluxspace, hosted through the Allegheny Intermediate Unit( AIU). What
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A graduate of IUP, Mary spent five years honing her skills, earning both an elementary education degree and a scholarshipsupported master’ s in special education. Her teaching journey began at the Western Pennsylvania School for the Blind, where she worked with younger, physically handicapped, and visually impaired children, including teaching them to swim.
Seeking new challenges, she moved to the Mt. Lebanon School District. After spending time teaching high school emotional support and coaching girls’ swimming, she pivoted to her true passion: elementary education.“ I am a softy... and [ I ] squirreled my way into Elementary and never left,” she shares. She loved teaching 3rd graders, focusing on science, environment, and hands-on learning.
Not one to sit at home, Mary’ s commitment to service extends far beyond the classroom. She has been a fixture on the Park and Shade Tree Commission of Crafton and the Recreation Board for many years.
Her dedication to improving her community is evident through her work on the library board, where she helped revitalize the Mini Golf for the Crafton Celebrates fundraiser, and her ongoing involvement in historical initiatives.
Growing the Future: Hydroponics Takes Root in Carnegie Elementary Classrooms
started as a day of learning quickly blossomed into a meaningful classroom experience with the potential to impact the entire district.
During the session, Mrs. Leslie and Mrs. Price explored the fundamentals of hydroponics— an innovative method of growing