Mr. Silvers dedicated to shaping minds one day at a time. photo by Ben Scherer
A deep dive into the other side of a TJ English teacher’s life.
When thinking about a versatile character, who comes to mind? Perhaps Superman or Batman? However, for those who have come to know Sean Silvers, this question has an easy answer. Silvers is a name that stands out here at Thomas Jefferson High School (TJ). With 12 years of service at TJ, he has become a figure of dedication to not only his craft in the English department, but also in his competitive endeavors outside of school.
Silvers grew up in Aurora and attended Overland High School where he found his dual passions for teaching and working out. After high school, he pursued his love of English and his desire for teaching at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) in Greeley, earning a degree in English with a minor in Sports Education with an emphasis on Coaching. Later, Silvers went on to complete and obtain his teaching license at Metropolitan State University (MSU), solidifying his career aspiration to be an educator. Starting off his professional career, Silvers ventured to Byers, Colorado, where he taught English and also coached volleyball at a small 2A school for 12 years. Prior to joining the TJ community, he worked at two nearby schools, Cherokee Trail High School and Montbello, where Silvers utilized his skills as both a teacher and a coach. Coming to TJ, Silvers brought with him his expertise and skills; he now continues to enrich students’ lives with his dedication to education and athletics, choosing to put all of his effort not into a coaching role, but a teaching role.
Although Silvers is renowned among the community for his excellent teaching, the educator also engages in the competitive world of powerlifting. Having been lifting since just 17 years old as a high school student, Silvers in knowledgable all in gym terms. As a student, he found himself motivated by his naturally smaller stature and a desire to improve his performance on the basketball court. Seeking solutions, he stumbled across weight training during his senior year, and, since then, he has been working out. Last year, while already immersed in the world of weights, Silvers started exploring something completely new to him – powerlifting competitions. In May of 2024, Silvers got his first chance and took advantage of the opportunity to compete in his first event. The experience was something Silvers personally sought out in order to rekindle the flame that had pushed him to stay focused and to chase improvement. The competition served as a new and fresh challenge. The event itself consisted of three different lifts – squat, bench press, and deadlift – and this excursion gave Silvers an outlet for his passions, along with a space for him to put his dedication to use. “You only get three attempts for each different one so there is a bit of strategizing,” he explains. Silvers’ heaviest personal lift is the deadlift, a true testimonial to his dedication and strength.
The powerlifting competitions themselves are no small event, and the preparation they require is no different. After months of rigorous training and commitment, participants arrive at the event early for the weigh-ins. Here, judges make sure that those competing are in the correct weight class. Silvers recalls his most recent competition, “I got there at 6:20 a.m. and left at 2:20 p.m.” However, despite the longevity of the events, he finds the process to be very rewarding and therapeutic in its own way. The events Silvers competes in are organized by the United States Powerlifting Association (USAPL), which is a national organization. So far, the sense of community has been a huge driving force, as the competitions provide a space for meeting hundreds of like-minded individuals with shared passion, united through lifting.
Silvers has a simple yet profound philosophy when it comes to fitness: make fitness a priority. “You have to make it a priority for you,” he says. His consistent routine, which varies between different exercises within an upper and lower body split, alongside guidance from the EvolveAI app, exhibits true discipline and his consistent approach. Silvers’ story is one of growth, perseverance, and balance. Between all the different realms of his life, whether on the volleyball court, in the classroom, or under the barbell, he has always demonstrated his dedication alongside his passion. For everyone at TJ, Silvers serves as a constant reminder of the endless possibilities to excel when individuals harness the power of commitment and focus.
