Local educator publishes book aimed at helping detect toxic relationships

A local educator has used her experiences to write a book aimed at helping women recognize and heal from their own toxic relationships. “Sis, Stop Sleeping; It’s Only an Illusion” was recently published through Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing Company by author and educator, Vernetta Mason-Castleberry.

Castleberry, a seventh-grade English teacher at Daingerfield Junior High School, used her own experiences with toxic relationships for the basis of the book.

“I was coming out of a toxic relationship, and reflecting back on my divorce, and saw a lot of the same traits,” Castleberry says of her experiences. “But God told me ‘I’ve got to use you,’ gave me the direction for the book. What the devil meant for harm God used for good.”

Castleberry explains that the book is geared towards self-love, and she continues using it as her healing weapon. She uses her experiences to explain the traits and characteristics of a toxic relationship, such as gas-lighting and love-bombing. She then discusses the importance of getting out of the relationship, and returning to a state or self-love.

“You have to recognize it (the toxic relationship), let it go, and love yourself,” Castleberry explains.

Though Castleberry’s book is geared towards women in toxic relationships, she explains that the book is good for girls, such as those she teaches at Daingerfield Junior High.

“I want the students, especially the girls, to realize they don’t have stay in a toxic relationship,” Castleberry says, while iterating that it can also apply to friendships as well.

“I want the students to know not to focus o personal relationships, but to focus on loving themselves,” Castleberry said. “Kids need emotional support, and they need to be able to tell themselves they are important.

In dealing with her past experiences while writing the book, Castleberry cites the love and loss of her parents, Edward Thomas and Lena Jean Mason.

“My father died when I was three, but he always told people I would do great things,” Castleberry recalled. “My mother was the strongest person I knew, and she taught me to have a dream and work towards it.”

Castleberry recalls her mother raising nine children on her own after the death of her father, and dedicated her book to their legacy.

Castleberry, a 15-year educator, has a Masters in Education and continually strives to encourage her students every day and give them the same lessons her mother gave her…to not look at the now, and to never stop dreaming.

“If I could give one thing to each of my students, it would be the opportunity to dream, to find a purpose,” Castleberry says.

Castleberry’s book is available on Amazon, and she will be having a book signing at a later date.