Centered on Curiosity and Connection: A Conversation with Theo Wilhelm, Our MYP Coordinator

A warm welcome to our MYP Coordinator, Theo Wilhelm!

Theo believes that education should spark curiosity, encourage reflection, and connect students to the wider world. In his role as Middle Years Programme (MYP) Coordinator, he blends decades of IB teaching experience with a passion for helping students see learning as both a personal and global endeavor.

We sat down with Theo to learn more about his journey, his philosophy on education, and what excites him most about his work at Seven Peaks School.

Can you share a bit about your professional journey and what drew you to Seven Peaks?

Nearly 30 years ago, I had no interest in education as a profession — and that’s when teaching found me. I was a journalist and aspiring author one day, and the next I was a 7th-grade teacher with no educational training whatsoever. It was truly sink or swim, and that baptism by fire proved effective. I was hooked.

Since then, I’ve taught and coached more than 3,000 students in incredible IB schools on five continents, as well as in public schools in California and here in Bend. Along the way, I earned the certifications and degrees needed to be a teacher, but more importantly, I’ve witnessed what truly fantastic education can look like.

The IB’s commitment “to develop inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect” deeply resonates with me. Education is about more than test scores and graduation rates — it’s about preparing students for the world they will inherit. That’s a commitment Seven Peaks School has embraced wholeheartedly, and it’s what called me to join this amazing community.

What excites you most about joining the Seven Peaks community at this moment in its IB journey?

You said it — the community! From my earliest days in education, I’ve believed that we can do better when it comes to how we teach and learn together. The staff, students, and families of Seven Peaks embody that sense of “we.” It’s the people that excite me most — all of you!

For parents who may be less familiar, how would you describe the Middle Years Programme (MYP) in a nutshell?

The MYP focuses less on what is learned and more on how it’s learned — and how that learning connects to the world around us. Rather than filling students with facts and figures, it encourages curiosity, reflection, and skill development. It inspires students to become lifelong learners who can think critically and creatively to make an impact on a rapidly changing world.

How does the MYP support students as thinkers — creatively, critically, ethically, and with self-regulation?

The MYP supports students by recognizing that thinking takes many forms. It encourages flexible thinking and helps students reflect on their own attitudes, impulses, and approaches to learning. This reflection builds self-awareness and fosters lifelong learning — skills that serve them far beyond middle school.

Building community is central to Seven Peaks. How do you plan to connect with parents, faculty, and students as you begin this role?

By showing up with a big smile, reaching out in every way possible, and making it clear how happy I am to be here! I’ve always believed that education is a team effort — students, staff, and families working together. Relationships are at the heart of everything we do, so I’m diving right in to build meaningful connections at every level.

Theo and Sons!

The IB emphasizes global citizenship. How do you hope to foster this value in Seven Peaks students?

The IB does an incredible job of showing students how their understanding and skills can have global impact. One is never too young to take an active role in their world. The MYP integrates “service in action” throughout its program, culminating in the Community Project, which empowers students to apply learning in meaningful ways.

My goal is to continue developing these aspects of the program and support teachers in what they already do so well — placing learning in a larger context and helping students see the global applications of their education.

What are some of the unique challenges middle schoolers face today, and how can the MYP framework help them navigate these?

Today’s middle schoolers are inundated with information, social messaging, and influences like never before. The MYP helps students navigate this complexity by building critical thinking, research, communication, and self-management skills. It gives them the tools to think clearly, regulate emotions, and make thoughtful decisions in a fast-paced, information-saturated world.

Just for fun — where were you born, and what are some favorite experiences or connections that have shaped you?

I was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio — somewhere around the 59th of what would eventually be 63 first cousins! I never imagined life outside the Midwest… until I saw E.T.. The golden hills of California, the ocean, the mountains — they sparked something in me even as a kid.

Since then, I’ve lived outside the U.S. for 15 years, explored over 60 countries, and formed incredible connections with people from cultures and backgrounds I could never have imagined as that kid in Ohio. Those experiences continue to shape me as a learner and as a person — a mindset that lies at the heart of the IB philosophy.

I’m deeply grateful for every experience I’ve had and can’t wait to help students realize that with curiosity, careful thinking, and the right mindset, anything is possible — even things beyond your wildest imagination.