What Is Your “Why?”

The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ASPA as an organization.

By Dwight Vick
February 7, 2025

In the K-12 world, the question, “What is your why?” has both a negative and positive connotation. When school administrators ask staff members this question, often adding about four syllables to the last word, teachers roll their eyes in disgust and go into a self-protective mode wondering how to answer the question. What is administration wanting as an answer? Should one give a philosophical reply like “I love applying a variety of Socratic teaching methods to expand students’ critical thinking skills.” Maybe the administrator wants an emotional response where one cries as one says, “I love touching the future.”  Maybe they want a brutally honest response, “I do it for retirement, health insurance and enough income to pay my doctor’s and therapist’s bills because I have to deal with verbal abuse from kids, increased testing requirements from the state and you.” With a positive perspective, the question allows us to privately reflect to the passion that led one to public service. I will share mine with you.

For me, my “why” remains as clear as the day it happened. I was in 5^th grade. I saw a quote from late President John Kennedy’s 1961’s Inaugural Address, “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” It was the first time anyone ASKED me to do something bigger than me.  This quote has served as a source of strength during difficult times, faced setbacks, to make a difference in the world. Remembering that quote, allows me to self-reflect when I am challenged.

I ask myself, “What drives me now?”, “What do I care about?”, and “What excites me?” Teaching still drives me. So does writing. I care about the field of public administration, of education and sharing ideas with colleagues. I think about the opportunities that presented themselves. They include, but are not limited to, implementing a new teaching tool in a public administration or policy class that results in seeing students’ have their moments of awakening. The following week, they tell me what they applied from the previous class to their workplace and how it worked for them. The feedback strengthens me and motivates me to go forward. Other times, I enjoy the give-and-take, the back-and-forth conversations with academic colleagues and street-level bureaucrats as we work on presentations, publications and research opportunities. As I answer the aforementioned three questions, I then ask myself, “Am I living my why?”

After working many hours, I sarcastically say, “Oh boy am I living the dream!  I’m living it through caffeine and unhealthy snacks!” This leads to burnout, a place where I cannot go and remain. But when I ask that question again, I reflect on how I live my daily life as a college professor, teacher and public administrator through intentional actions. Reflecting on how I try to live my “why” helps me feel more purposeful and that I balance this with self-care and personal interests. I go to the gym on weekends. Work on my lawn.  Make a chuckwagon chili or homemade dry rub (the recipes are in the will). 

We public servants may not be internationally known. We carry a message to the world that is the world to someone we serve. We shape and reshape their lives and in turn, they shape ours. These living actions allow us to live our professional purpose, give lasting success to our agencies, our communities and ourselves. Whether we are teachers, first responders, public health providers, receptionists in public offices, work in a federal, state or local agency—it does not matter. Our public service cups runneth over when we help others fill theirs. All of us are fulfilled.

When challenged, it is vitally important that we positively reflect on our individual “Why?” Return to that moment of clarity. Reflect on what gives us purpose. What gives us direction. Though this private reflection of our public selves, let us take the steps to rediscover our own WHY? As we go forward, as individuals and as public servants, let us reflect on our personal and professional goals then take action, take initiative for our profession, our communities and especially ourselves. Let us not roll our eyes, but roll up our sleeves.

Ask ourselves, as President Kennedy asked us over 60 years ago, a question that lives through the ages: What can we do for our country, our communities and ourselves as we reflect and realign to meet our collective and individual needs? Read more.

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Author: A graduate of Arizona State University, Dr. Dwight Vick has been as ASPA member for 30 years.  He is an instructor with Texas A&M International University and Thomas Edison State University as well as works with Texas area high schools teaching government, economics, political science, and English.

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