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End of Year Letter (2011-12)


Dear Parents & Students,

I usually write separate letters for my parents and students.  This year, however, I chose to write one.  This decision was born out of the fact that I have never felt so much gracious consideration in my entire life as I have this past year.  This came not only from the adults surrounding me but also from the kids I taught...each and every one of them.

When I began this year I was a wreck.  I found myself hard pressed to focus on what I was doing.  Thoughts of my family, SMA, and everything surrounding us consumed me.  Sleepless nights came one after the other.  Faraway thoughts of my entire life kept creeping into my daily routines.  Fighting tears as I watched children run and play took much of my strength. September proved to be the hardest month I have ever experienced as a teacher...and it was personal.

Each day that I headed to work I wondered how I would make it through the day.  I wondered where my energy would come from.  I wondered how I was to have enough left for my wife and kids when I got home.  I worried.  I stressed.  I lost more sleep. 

I firmly believe that there is a reason for everything that happens in our lifetime; and that each set of circumstances is related somehow to the others.  There is a reason why each one of my students was placed in my classroom.  There is a reason that they were born to their parents, raised by adults who obviously instilled a sense of compassion and understanding in them.

As September rolled by and October took hold I found that my students provided me with a way to deal with my personal situation.  They asked me how things were going.  They listened when I spoke of my children.  They allowed me to be who I truly am.  They understood when I was extremely tired and worked with me to make the day a success.  When the stresses of my life proved to overshadow my demeanor, they still respected me. I often left Lincoln feeling that they may have taken the brunt of some of those stressors...I'm sure they did.  They, however, shared the burden with me.  For that I am forever grateful.

As the year solidified itself into the midst of winter--the outpouring of goodwill, comfort, and support that I felt from the parents of my students helped me to truly embrace the notion that it takes a community to raise a child.  In this case, that child was my daughter, Ella.  This opened up the doors for me to once again teach as I know best how to do.  My lessons were just that...lessons.  Slowly but surely I was more able to focus on the teaching and learning without the awful thoughts taking over.  Slowly but surely I was able to reach out to my students and help them achieve their best.  

The past nine months have made me a better teacher, a better husband, a better father, a better friend.  It has opened up my eyes, heart and soul to the essence of what it means to be a caring and compassionate human being.

Parents; your children are ever so lucky to have you raising them.
Students; your parents are ever so lucky to have you to raise.

You have made a difference in my life...in the life of my family...and in the life of a sweet young girl who one day will be told of your kindness and generosity, your compassion and goodwill.


Mr. Casten
May, 2012

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