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BOUNTIFUL -- A teacher in Bountiful is doing double duty as a firefighter in order to help the community. His service does not go unnoticed by the young people in his life.
On the last day of school, we surprised Oak Hills Elementary third-grade teacher Marvin Cassler with a High 5.
A parent, Holli Stubbs, nominated Mr. Cassler for the High 5. "Everyone in Mr. Cassler's class loves him -- all the kids, the parents. He is such a good role model for everyone," she said.
"He teaches the kids to work in groups like he does in his job as a firefighter in the summer. We think that's so important for the kids going forward to learn how to work together with other people in their life. They'll use it forever," she added.
Mr. Cassler said, "It's kind of like a cycle. I do the firefighting thing in the summertime and I'm able to gain financial support to pump back into the classroom. So teaching is my first job, my first love. I just like to provide a service to the community being a firefighter and a teacher."
We asked him what kind of firefighter's skills he would hope to pass along to his students.
"Team work," he answered. "Team work's a big one. Being on a hot shot crew and a helitac crew for 11 years, there's a lot of camaraderie. You need to learn how to work together."
"Another one is responsibility. Responsibility is, one, to finish their work, do their homework, get along with others. So, just life skills, those types of things," he said.
His students seem to be absorbing all of those things. One student named Scott said, "He teaches us team work and friendship."
Another student, Justyn Defriec, added, "How to work with other people, how to be good sports, how to be a good friend and help other people."
His help to the community and in the classroom makes Mr. Cassler double deserving of this special thanks. His students presented him with a quilt that showcases special pictures and messages from them.
As part of the High 5, Stock & Save Premium Meats offered him a 30 pound box of meats.
E-mail: bwalker@ksl.com
