LONDON, Ohio — London Middle School Health and Phys Ed Teacher Adam Haman saw a news story out of Michigan about a campaign called #WhyYouMatter, and after talking with principal Michael Belmont, the two decided to try the program.
- A middle school teacher in London is promoting a positive school environment through the #WhyYouMatter campaign
- It started as a way to help students manage grief and pressure and to address mental health in the community
- More than 500 students from grades 6-8, along with 40 staff members, are taking part
“I know a lot of our kids struggle with self-worth. They don't get told a lot that they matter, so we want to make sure that they understand that they do matter. Nationwide, teen bullying and suicides are up, it’s just something our culture has to deal with, and this is a proactive approach to combat that,” said Haman.
So, 500 London Middle School students, grades 6-8, along with the entire staff, created simple messages as to why they matter.
Administrators worked with Peters Photography, and the final product includes an 8-inch by 10-inch printout of everyone in the school and their message, visible for all to see in the hallway above the lockers.
Haman and Belmont say at first some students were skeptical, but have since embraced the project.
The pivotal moment came after Christmas break, when the students saw their pictures up on the wall for the first time.
The students say they try and live out their message on a daily basis.
“I matter because I'm encouraging. I try to encourage others and help them just stay positive,” said seventh-grader Evan Moran.
“I ended up putting that I was a good friend, leader and teammate, ‘cause I think that's pretty true,” said eighth-grader Macy Baker.
A public open house is planned at the middle school on Thursday.
Belmont and Haman say they plan to bring the #WhyYouMatter campaign back next year and hope other schools across the state follow their lead.
“I've had some parents reach out to me, they're very excited, like Christmas morning, one parent said, ‘I can't wait to see what my daughter wrote, I've asked her not to tell me,’ so that's very exciting. That kind of input is what really makes you know that you hit the mark,” said Belmont.
