Middle School Teachers Share Their “Why” and Strengthen Community Bonds

Through a new initiative called “My Why,” teachers have been sharing their personal journeys and the reasons they chose to become educators during school meetings. This simple yet powerful practice has created deeper connections among teachers, students, and the entire Middle School community.

The premise is simple enough: teachers take to the mic during the all-school meeting and share their “why” – what inspired them to pursue a teaching career. The impact, however, is profound. Students get the opportunity to see their teachers as real people with stories and struggles of their own.

"The faculty have had a lot of fun with it," said Middle School Head Dan Keller. "They're talking about it together during free periods and lunch. It's created a positive atmosphere across the middle school."

 

After introducing the project to teachers this fall, Keller himself kicked things off, sharing a moving story from his own schooldays. “I had a teacher in fifth grade who made a meaningful connection at a difficult time in my life,” Keller said. “They tailored my learning experience to my interests, which inspired me to become the kind of teacher who meets students where they are.” That personal connection, a hallmark of what Keller calls the human power of teaching, shaped his career—and now inspires others.

 

The Middle School teachers have embraced the “My Why” project fully, sharing openly about personal loss, important moments that came to define them, and what inspires them.

 

Dr. Jimmy Wolfe, Latin Teacher, shared one of the more unusual “why” stories. A former professor at Princeton University, Wolfe took the unusual step of becoming a teacher in a maximum-security prison.

 

"I've taught at Ohio State, Princeton University, Raritan Valley Community College, and the University of Michigan," said Wolfe. "But even after teaching for so many years, I wasn't sure if this was what I wanted to do with the rest of my life."

 

It was when Wolfe took a teaching job at Southwood State, a maximum-security prison in New Jersey, that he truly fell in love with teaching. "The people I taught at Southwood were some of the best students I've had," said Wolfe. "We couldn't learn anything about each other, but they were still eager to learn new things, ask questions, and talk to someone like a human.

 

"It was then I realized how lucky we are to be able to spend our days in places where we can ask questions and learn from one another," said Wolfe. "That is why I am a teacher."

 

Kirk McAuliffe took a highly creative approach by singing his “why” for the audience. As the Band Director, his musical performance was both fitting and unforgettable, as his “why” created a beautiful and emotional moment for the entire Middle School.

The “My Why” series appears to be having the intended effect on the students. Seeing their teachers in this new light has sparked a greater sense of understanding and connection. As a result, students feel more inclined to participate in class, listen to what their teachers say, and follow through on their school commitments.

 

"It helps us to get to know our teachers," said James Sturgeon '31. "Especially as a new sixth grader, it helped me create a bond with teachers I wouldn't have had otherwise."

 

"I think it's cool to see how our teachers have grown up and changed over the years," added Bennett Hilgartner '30. "It makes me think I should work harder towards my goals."

 

Perhaps most importantly, the "My Why" series reminds students that life doesn’t always follow a straight path—and that’s OK. "I enjoy listening to the backstories of our teachers," said Charlie Fifer '30. "I've learned that even if you don't know what you're going to be after you graduate, you'll always find the right thing for you."

 

Through this community-building initiative, Severn’s Middle School teachers are doing more than just sharing stories – they’re leading by example, demonstrating that being vulnerable and authentic deepens relationships and builds trust. In doing so, they are helping to foster an environment where students feel confident to discover their own personal “why”.