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Retired educator returns to classroom

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By Kate Cole

Saturday, November 26, 2011

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Tony Miranda, 11, a student at Durant-Tuuri-Mott Elementary School, doesn't have any trouble reciting the 44 presidents of the United States from beginning to end. Although visually impaired, when he heard the voice of David Caswell in the school hallway, he made his way to the retired educator's side saying, "Want to hear me say the list of presidents, Mr. C?"

While Tony couldn't see the proud expression on Caswell's face, Tony took delight in reciting the list he learned as part of the president's class Caswell teaches at local schools.

This week's lesson was about James Madison, the fourth president (1809 until 1817), the War of 1812 and the Indians who lived in Michigan.

Whitney Schnell's fifth grade classroom buzzed with excitement as students settled in to hear Caswell's multimedia presentation about the president, who not only wrote the Constitution, but also was, as Caswell pointed out, the shortest man ever elected president.

Caswell displayed a portrait of James Madison. (Cameras hadn't been invented yet, he explained.) He described the 5-foot 4-inch man people nicknamed "Little Jimmy" for visually impaired students while interpreter Bethany James signed the program for hearing-impaired students.

According to Caswell, Dolley, Madison's famous wife, was the most important first lady. She is recognized for her courageous act of patriotism when she refused to leave the White House until a large portrait of George Washington was removed from the walls and taken safely away in the hours preceding the burning of Washington by British troops during the War of 1812.

Later, under President James Monroe, the White House was rebuilt and "painted white to cover-up the soot from the fire," Caswell explained.

"Dolley Madison was the nation's first lady for 50 years," Caswell commented. "The presidents after Madison didn't have wives so Dolley filled in as first lady."

Students learned that Madison wrote most of the U.S. Constitution and that he, along with John Jay and Alexander Hamilton, wrote the Federalist Papers — essays that were intended to sway public opinion for ratifying the new Constitution.

They also learned that Madison asked Congress to declare war on June 1, 1812, because the British held American seamen as prisoners and seized cargoes from American ships.

Francis Scott Key wrote the nation's anthem during a battle in the ensuing war.

Caswell said the British had already invaded and captured Washington. They set fire to the Capitol and the White House, the flames visible 40 miles away in Baltimore. American forces were preparing for an assault on Baltimore they knew would come by both land and sea.

Francis Scott Key heard that the British had carried off an elderly and much loved town physician, Dr. William Beanes. He was being held on a British flagship. The townsfolk feared that Beanes would be hanged. Madison asked Francis Scott Key for his help. He agreed to go on mission asking for Beanes' release. The British put Key and Beanes under arrest and from their prison they watched the battle for Baltimore, Caswell said.

Key and Beanes looked on with apprehension during the all-night seige. In the predawn darkness, Key waited for the sight that would end his anxiety — the sight of the American flag blowing in the breeze, he said.

"When at last daylight came, the flag was still there," Caswell explained.

That's when Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner.

"During the War of 1812 battles were fought in Michigan," Caswell said, citing the battle for Fort Mackinac on Mackinac Island, a British victory in the War of 1812.

Before the war, Fort Mackinac had been an important American trading post, Caswell said. The news of the British success there influenced many native tribes, who had previously been neutral or undecided, to rally with the British cause. The British also captured Detroit, but later lost both Detroit and Fort Mackinac to the Americans.

"The Indians that sided with the British lived close by — as close as Atwood Stadium or the town of Montrose," Caswell said.

Students also learned about a Shawnee Indian named Tecumseh, who took his followers and joined the British when the War of 1812 broke out. He was appointed an officer, and participated in several battles, including the capture of Detroit. When the British retreated into Canada in 1813, Tecumseh and his forces helped cover the retreat. The Indians under his command were overwhelmed by American troops. Tecumseh was killed at the Battle of the Thames in Canada Oct. 5, 1813, according to Caswell.

"The war ended Jan. 8, 1815. It was a lopsided victory," Caswell said. "The number of British killed was 386 while only 55 Americans died."

Hands shot up in the air as Caswell concluded his presentation with a quiz. One student, Charica Wagner, answered Caswell's question using sign language.

He rewarded students who gave correct answers with a "Coke Card" that would enable them to get a special treat.

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