Thanks for writing this (I think the article said Luke San?). Wind Ensemble isn't the same without Daeschler, and it frustrates me that he's being remembered as a pedophile by those who didn't have the privilege to get to know him. I think we should remember him for the outstanding contributions he made to LHS and for how he impacted us and made us not only better musicians, but better people. Daeschler believed in me and the rest of his students, all of them. We'd be doing him a huge disservice to lose faith in him. He believed in me when I didn't believe in myself-- for that, I'm eternally grateful to him. We miss you, Daesch.

I attended the D128 parent's meeting, explaining what had happened and why. Many of the band parents expressed similar sentiments. I found those comments and this letter equally disturbing. From parent after parent, I hear what a great teacher Mr. Daeschler was, how upset their children were. My definition of great teacher starts with they are not having sex with high school students in their class. If you can't pass that bar, whatever comes after really doesn't matter. Even more upsetting, not once did I hear concern voiced for the girl involved, nor gratitude for District 128 or LHS for doing the very hard and right thing. Due to the great imbalance of power between a teacher and a student, Superintendent Lee made it abundantly clear there was never any circumstance a teacher/student sexual relationship would be ok.

I heard a parent express concern over how girls dress for school, whether they are "provoking" these male teachers, classic blame the victim. If indeed this student had made inappropriate advances, a great teacher would have recognized a cry for help and gone to the social worker in her LST and gotten her that help. I heard parents asking that we not "throw out the bad with the good". Mr. Lee made it very clear, this is about the worst line a teacher can cross, even worse than selling drugs to our children. Most disturbing of all, the vast majority of these comments were made by parents of daughters. I wonder how many other girls in LHS, or the other 2 schools he taught could be victims and are suffering in silence, just so they don't come under scrutiny.

The easy thing to do would have been to sweep this under the carpet, pass this down the road, but thank goodness the leaders in our district are better than that. I don't blame the students who wrote this letter, they are young. I urge their parents to really thing about what the district has done for our community, how they have kept our children safe. I thank District 128 & LHS for having the courage to do the right thing.

I'd just like to say, Mr. Daeschler has done great things. When I came to this school last year, about 10 kids from my graduating 8th grade class came to this school. I was the only freshman in Wind Ensemble, not to mention a freshman in Wind Ensemble with few friends in this school and even country, and I was scared. However, Mr. Daeschler worked really hard to integrate me into the band, helping me make friends in this new school and community. I felt at home for the first time in my life, thanks to him. He encouraged me and pushed me as a person and a musician to be the best he can be. It's a shame that this one mistake he made overshadows everything he did for his students and the community, from helping them grow and learn and achieve to helping the band get to Superstate (and winning!), Midwest Clinic, and Bands of America.

I can understand a desire to shed light on the positive effects a teacher had upon your life, but this is neither the time nor the place for you to do so. Any justification of his actions at this time only further victimizes the girl he took advantage of. Regardless of your kind intentions in writing this letter, it simply isn't necessary. Yes, those quick to react and demonize this man may not know every side of him, but that's not the point at this juncture. Think not of how you can support the grown man who committed a crime and took advantage of a student, but rather how you can support the victims of crimes like these, in both word and action.

Clearly Mr. San does not have children, nor do any of the other young adults who support this letter.

What one should NEVER lose sight of is the fact that schools should be a safe haven for children. It is absolutely imperative that schools protect their students from the likes of Mr. Daeschler. He took advantage of his position of authority to coerce his victim into acts that should never take place between a teacher and student.

Regardless of his musical talent, or his ability to be a trusted advisor or friend, (which can also be signs of "grooming" other students for inappropriate sexual advances), Libertyville High School absolutely did the right thing. Period.

I'm sorry but he was not a great band director as great band directors don't do things like that. Just shows how simple these kids are....which is according to a parent above is actually disturbing.

Wow....when did Libertyville become Salem, Massachusetts in the late 1600's! Let's all hang the guy before we hear all the facts. And by facts, I don't mean what the LHS is putting out there to make themselves look good, and this band director look bad. None of us, I assume, were involved in this relationship....yet we are all so quick to judge. If he's guilty of an inappropriate relationship, then why hasn't the police become involved...oh wait, they said there was no criminal case here. Yet Libertyville residents are ready to hang the guy out to dry. We don't have all the facts....and we never will. It's a he said/she said situation. Leave the kids alone for writing their letter. And go on about your own business....not someone else's!

I was really trying very hard to ignore the comments here as everyone is entitled to their personal opinion and I am a very busy young man pursuing a higher education, but when so many have already missed the point of the letter I simply could not leave this to be further misunderstood. First of all, I would like to address the casual use of terms such as "crime", "took advantage", "coerce" and the like. These are inaccurate as there were no criminal charges filed and we can thereby assume that this was a legal, consensual act in the eyes of the law. Now, please understand that I am not "defending a full grown man" as you have so callously accused me; I am separating the facts given to you by the school and many news outlets from the speculation you have thrown onto this earnest letter. Secondly, I do mention the unknown girl in my letter. However, I can offer no support to her when I do not know anything about her. I know neither her identity nor the specifics of her relationship so I cannot address this situation from her perspective. This letter was not a defense or a justification or a plea for forgiveness. I made reference in both the opening and closing paragraphs that all involved with this letter agree that a teacher having a relationship with a student is, and I quote, "unprofessional and inappropriate" as well as a "grievous error in judgement". I am disappointed that a letter meant to remind the community of positive things has spawned such negative reaction.

As a smaller and more trivial matter, I very much do think this is the most appropriate time and place for a letter like this. This is an open forum where anyone can express their opinion for the rest of the community to see, and this was a direct and timely response to the community's sudden judgement of this situation. And as an even smaller and even more trivial matter, although some students listed are high school students, the large majority are currently attending universities and are very much deserving of respect as adults in their opinions. Since I wrote this letter, condescending remarks to myself and my peers about how "simple these kids are" seem very ironic when several elder adults here have troubling issues with detailed reading of a very carefully worded letter.

Luke...I support you and your letter. I am glad you wrote it. You and your fellow musicians had a close relationship with this teacher - and you wanted to voice your opinion. You were right....Libertyville has painted this man in a very unfavorable light. Glad we heard another side to the story.

Luke, I think that was a very well written and beautiful letter. Contrary to what the other adults think, I think you should be commended for taking the time and effort to stand up for what you believe. Whether the teacher was right or wrong,is not the issue of your letter, There are two sides to every story, and I am glad you took the high road. Stand tall young man, and don't let the others undermine your eloquence.

As a fellow high school band director, I have nothing but respect for what Jeff Daeschler was able to do with the LHS band program since he took the reigns. Playing on the stage of the Bands of America National Concert Festival, along with the Mid West Clinic, are the equivalents of the Super Bowl in the activity. Clearly, the students were receiving a first rate music education. This is while trying to work under the shadow legacy of a recently retired band director who was well liked and respected. Imagine having the eyes of every student, parent and member of the community on you everyday at your place of work. Every word and action you make are being judged and they are just waiting for you to slip up so they can say "I knew it... this guy is terrible compared to Mr. So and So". He had the eyes of doubt and skepticism on him from day one and the man gave the kids a great musical experience regardless.

I myself took over for a high school band director who had a tremendous error in judgement and crossed the same line. I do not condone what my predecessor did. He more than deserved the time he served in prison. However, as someone who witnessed his life's work (the band program he had built for 35+ years) it angered me to hear others speak of only one thing. He gave hundreds of students a great band program to be a part of and that is worth mentioning.

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Bravo students of LHS for being able to see the whole picture and having a grounded, mature attitude regarding the entire situation.

This world is not black and white and neither are people and their actions. Simply trying to place people into convenient boxes of 'good' and 'bad' demonstrates an arrogance and 'holier than thou' mentality.

After all, Let he who is free of sin cast the first stone.

Luke, I too applaud you for a well written, well thought out letter. You were respectful and sincere and did not try to manipulate the very few facts that are known, nor did you try to make excuses for the behavior. Too many of us are so quick to judge others with very little information. We know nothing other than Mr. Daeschler was accused of inappropriate behavior between a teacher and a student and that there was no evidence of criminal behavior between the two adults involved that would warrant a police investigation. Beyond that, we are unaware of the details of the relationship or evidence that was submitted. These younger adults were very careful to avoid making any assumptions in their letter, we should follow their lead.

As much as I disagree with what he did, he doesnt deserve to be put out how he has been. Luke, I wish I myself could have signed this letter, because I agree with all of the points wholeheartedly. I must also say to everyone that thinks they know what's going on and is being all arrogant and brash- don't judge a book by its cover. And don't read the last page first either. What you need to do is consider what he did to help his students and further them in their musical careers and just everything he did up to the point where he screwed up. He was an incredible band director who taught me personally quite a bit. He made one mistake, just one. Of course, this was a huge mistake, but it was only one mistake after a multitude of positive actions.

For those who struggle to understand why a relationship between an 18 year old student and his/her teacher cannot be allowed, here's a very well written article on this topic, in the words of a student who graduated high school last year.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mikaela-raphael/why-studentteacher-relati_b_1435275.html

For the final time: not once have any of us stated that we approve of this relationship. The purpose of this article is to shed light on the side of Daeschler that we believe he should be remembered for.

Ana, I don’t believe anyone who has commented here, or Mr. Sans, has questioned why a relationship between a student and teacher shouldn’t be allowed, it shouldn’t. The students were quite upfront about that not being acceptable. LHS and the board were legally and ethically bound to dismiss Mr. Daeschler if they believed they had sufficient evidence to support the allegation. I don’t believe that was the intent of the students’ letter. I can’t speak for them, but the letter seemed more a response to the vilification of his character by persons who know neither the man, nor the details of the relationship. Because of the privacy concerns cited by the school board, neither the name of the involved former student, nor the nature and evidence in support of the alleged relationship, has been released. Yet, we are quick to make judgment on the intentions of both Mr. Daeschler and the young lady with regards to the relationship. It is easy to jump to the conclusion that the older of the two was the aggressor, a pedophile in the eyes of some, but that is making a leap beyond what information we know. We can reasonably state that if the relationship existed, he should have known better, he knows the rules and boundaries, and the punishment is appropriate with regards to expected standards of behavior. Beyond that, all is conjecture and damaging to all parties involved.

Luke San wrote a very intelligent and heart felt letter. I am a band parent and fully agree with the sentiments Luke and the other students feel. These students seem to understand that the sex with a student was wrong, they do not seem naive at all. I agree with the comments by Dan. We do not know the whole story, there are many aspects of the information we do have that do not jive. I concede, as do these students, that Mr. Daeschler made a big mistake, on the other hand he has been a wonderful mentor to many students.
I agree that some parents are making this a witch-hunt without having the full story at hand. I would not call "RatemyTeacher.com" a credible source of facts. Students angry with a teacher over discipline or grades or perceived unfairness vent on that all of the time. Every teacher gets negative and inflammatory remarks on that site, even the most reputable ones.I wouldn't bet a dime on the veracity of that website.
Angela Roeser...very well put!

Donny, get you're homosexual bashing thoughts out of here. Completely ignorant, insensitive, and inappropriate for the debate that's going on. I bite my thumb at you!

I wrote myself passes so I could skip class to talk with Mr. Daeschler, Mr. Clemons, Mr. Helvie, Mr. Shupe, Mr. Marino, Mr. Heath, and Dr. Brown. All of these fine music educators were as much great mentors and friends as they were teachers to me, and each one of them helped guide me as I decided to pursue a major in music.

Mr. Daeschler especially inspired me to not accept "good enough" and to rather strive for greatness.

I can understand why the board made its decision, but the portrayal of Mr. Daeschler is inaccurate. I don't believe that a consensual act between two adults has a victim.

Actions do result in consequences, and the words chosen here and in other settings do not escape this reality. Misrepresentations are not what we are trying to impress on our children either. The students who know him best should be the ones to paint the portrait of the man he is.

The truth is that Mr. Daeschler will be remembered by his students at Libertyville for the Superstate victory and recording trips and all of the successes he achieved in only a short time (even the corny jokes that perhaps only once elicited a chuckle). It is to Mr. Daeschler that the community owes a debt of gratitude for being an educator, a mentor, a friend, and an inspiration. There are a hundred other students that would agree.

And may I please never have to play Till Eulenspiegel again...

Thank you JD, you're the man.

By publishing this letter and commenting on it, we have all chosen to permanently link our names via an internet search to this issue. So as the students who signed this letter continue their applications for college, scholarships & jobs, this will come up, but that is their choice. To bring in the names of other great teachers at the school who have literally nothing to do with this, and link their names as well, is completely wrong. Christian, I am glad you felt well supported during your time at LHS by the music department. Knowing that list of instructors as well as I do, I guaranty you that there's only one name on that list that also considered you, or any of the students, a friend...because the rest of the teachers have clearly demonstrated an understanding appropriate boundaries in a teacher/student relationship. You are well within your rights to defend Mr. Daeschler as you see fit, but please have enough respect the rest of the staff who are completely innocent not to drag them in.

Ana Draa, you have made your point REPEATEDLY, and I think it's time to stop berating these students. They are grieving the loss of a teacher, and they have a right to express their feelings.

Ana, we have all heard enough from you. Your constant negativity and failure to even attempt to see an issue from a perspective other than your own is almost as aggravating as it is pathetic. Your words make it clear that you made no effort to try to understand the points made in the letter before you started making rude and insensitive comments. Please, do us all a favor and stop commenting on this article, as it is very clear that you have missed the point of it entirely.

Ana Draa shut up

Lets just say there was a lot of inappropriate behavior happening between a few different students and teachers back then. Several teachers were let go in 1 school year for similar reasons. Everyone knew about it, especially those in the music dept. The administration knew of rumors but did nothing. She graduated a few months after it was common knowledge, as did the people who knew her well and of their relationship. No one came forward and he changed schools a few years later. He got lucky he slipped off the chopping block before it was too late for him. I'm glad to know that since he chose to continue to behave the same way for so many years, he got caught. He deserves whats coming to him.

Hi everyone. Can we please keep the comments respectful, and refrain from posting accusatory comments about anyone - including teachers, named or unnamed? Thanks!

"Apart from that Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?" An "inappropriate physical relationship" between a teacher and student is ALWAYS unethical.