Faculty of the Week: Tyler Caldwell

By: Angela Zhang and Maya Cohen 

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Tyler Caldwell could be found serving home-made cookies to members of the prep class every week in the library. To many of the preps who were on campus at the time, it was an activity to look forward to every Tuesday. Caldwell would welcome everyone who walked in the door of the Library Commons, check in about how their day was going, and offer them still-warm chocolate chip cookies. This kind and inviting spirit is demonstrated in all the other activities Caldwell engages in.

Caldwell, a beloved English Instructor, skilled dancer, and competitive athlete, is entering his 11th year of teaching at Exeter. He is dorm head of Main Street Hall, where he lives with his husband, Science Instructor Andrew McTammany. Prior to Exeter, Caldwell gained teaching experience at a school in China. Having minored in Chinese in college, Caldwell had no trouble teaching English as a second language to his students. It was then that he realized he truly did enjoy teaching, and declared himself an English major to pursue teaching in the future. Immediately after graduating, Caldwell began his time at Exeter as an intern, and then became a full-time faculty member the following year. 

However, Exeter was not Caldwell’s first experience at boarding school. In fact, he and his twin sister, History Instructor Alexa Caldwell, grew up on the campus of St. Andrew’s, a boarding school in Delaware. English Instructor Lundy Smith, family-friend of Caldwell’s, explained that his upbringing was one of the major reasons Caldwell has thrived as an instructor at Exeter. “Tyler had grown up within the confines of a prep school and watched his parents balance the duties of coaching, teaching, advising, administrating, and parenting,” Smith said. “The fact that we hired Tyler to a full-time position after his intern-year is a testament to his excellence in the classroom.” 

English Instructor Christina Breen shared the sentiment. “He has a true understanding of what his job entails and is willing to chip in in any way he can to help improve the student experience. He is always willing to go the extra mile to offer support.”

Caldwell’s dedication and expertise is clear in the classroom, where he is a passionate advocate for self-expression through writing and literature. After using English to understand his own experiences and identities, he shared, “If I can help other students do that, too, in a way where I’m not getting in between their experience with the book, I will. I think that whether through writing or through reading, they’re just such amazing opportunities to learn a little more about yourself.” 

In addition to literature, Caldwell thoroughly enjoys dancing, something he has done since his youth. Smith, who knew him as a child, even described him as a “respectful boy who loves dancing to Britney Spears.” In college, Caldwell participated in City Step, a nonprofit group that works with middle school students to teach them self-expression through improvisation and dance. He keeps this passion alive in his everyday life and teaching.

“One of the things that I love about the period of youth is the ability to explore lots of things. It feels like as you get older, your learning becomes increasingly specialized,” Caldwell remarked. Caldwell keeps his spirit of exploration alive in the classroom with an intersectional approach to English, bringing in various aspects of the arts into assignments. 

In addition to his position as an English Instructor, Caldwell holds the title of being the 9th Grade Program Coordinator and takes the role to new heights, organizing events to build community such as his well-known “milk and cookies,” library game nights, and puppy therapy sessions. “...he baked cookies for the entire prep class on a Tuesday night, a highlight of not only my week but many of my friends,’” Senior Nicole Craighead recalled.

One of Caldwell’s students, senior Oliver Riordan, recalls Caldwell’s support during prep year,  “I struggled to find my footing, and Mr. Caldwell was there to guide me through those tough patches.”

Caldwell finds his roles to be highly rewarding, and reflected, “It’s good to be 13 and 14 years old. You don’t have to grow up in a second. The sort of pure joy that ninth graders tend to have...I love that. I want to try to help them preserve that, especially at a place like Exeter, where there are high expectations and constant workloads.”

It is clear to many that Caldwell is an incredibly compassionate and empathetic member of the community. English Instructor Genny Moriarty noted the inspiration of Caldwell’s genuine dedication, insight into adolescence, patience, and good humor, adding that he is “integral to the life of the school.” 

Smith further added that Caldwell is “non-judgemental” and “creates a classroom and dorm environment where every student’s voice is heard and acknowledged.” 

Outside of the classroom, Caldwell is a big fan of athletics. Breen noted, “He can play pretty much any sport, and was even recruited to play multiple sports in college.” His athletic prowess shows through in his role as one of Exeter’s crew coaches, looking to coaching as a form of teaching “that can happen outside of the classroom.” 

Caldwell especially enjoys coaching crew as most students don’t have the chance row prior to coming to Exeter. “The growth you see over their four years is huge,” he said. 

Caldwell is excellent at hiding his competitive side, however, whether in athletics or daily fun. “He just smiles when we talk smack and then calmly proceeds to beat us,” shared fellow Main Street dorm faculty Gayatri Ramesh when recalling her family’s recurring game nights with Caldwell. 

Although competitive, Caldwell is still the life of the party. Moriarty fondly recalled a “Faculty Folly” performance in which Caldwell convinced Moriarty’s husband and young kids to do a “choreographed dance to Gangnam Style” as evidence of his ability to create connections and community. “He just knows how to make people feel comfortable, even when they're doing something that is way outside their comfort zone,” Moriarty said.

Above all, Caldwell is the embodiment of kindness and humanity. Always an understanding and supportive teacher, coach, and friend, Caldwell holds a positive legacy at Exeter and beyond.