English teacher Henry Johnston didn’t take a straight path to University High School as a student. After moving to Indiana from Atlanta in the fifth grade, Henry struggled to adjust. “School was always hard for me,” he recalls. “I struggled socially and didn’t have a lot of self-confidence.” That began to change in the fall of 2005, when he shadowed at University. “As soon as I stepped onto campus, I knew these were my people. It was a gut instinct—this was where I needed to be.” Henry would go on to graduate as part of the class of 2010, and today, he’s back at University as an English teacher, helping to inspire the next generation of Trailblazers.
At University, Henry experienced a level of acceptance and encouragement from teachers that was unlike anything he had known before. His love of comic books, something that set him apart at previous schools, was celebrated. “At University, our unique qualities were nurtured and seen as strengths.”
One pivotal moment came in now Head of School Alicia LaMagdeleine’s creative writing class, where Henry discovered something new about himself. “It was the first time I felt like I was truly good at something,” he shares. “Alicia created an environment where failure wasn’t something to fear but something to learn from. She gave me time and trust, allowing me to see my so-called flaws as strengths.” That experience—of being seen, challenged, and believed in by a teacher—gave Henry the confidence to embrace his interests and trust his own voice.
Now, as a member of the English faculty, Henry carries that same commitment to student-teacher relationships into his own classroom. He strives to create a space where every student feels seen, valued, and capable of growth, just as he once did. He knows firsthand how acceptance, trust, and a teacher’s belief in a student’s potential can shape a young person’s confidence and future.
“University gave me the confidence to trust my voice,” Henry reflects. “Now, I have the opportunity to help students feel the same way, and that’s a gift I don’t take lightly.”
As we celebrate the dedication of our teachers and the profound impact they have on students’ lives, your gift to the U Fund helps ensure that University High School continues to be a place where every student is known, supported, and empowered to succeed. Join us in honoring 25 years of generosity by making a gift today.