TikTok has exploded in popularity in recent years, becoming one of the most downloaded and used social media apps worldwide. As of 2024, TikTok has been downloaded over 672 million times globally (Statista). With its short-form video format, TikTok has become the platform for viral videos that spread rapidly and gain huge viewership. Videos go “viral” when they gain sudden, widespread popularity through shares and views by many different users. Recently, one TikTok user in particular, a teacher, had her videos go massively viral on the platform.
The Viral Video
The video that went viral on TikTok shows North Carolina math teacher Matt Lane (@mathematt7) poking fun at job application questions for teachers, acting out silly hypothetical interview scenarios. In the video, Lane jokes around about writing a sample lesson plan on a topic like “how to steal the principal’s car”.
The humorous video quickly gained over 4 million views and 800,000 likes on TikTok. Many viewers found Lane’s sarcasm about the ridiculous parts of teacher interviews relatable and amusing. The high engagement showed how the content resonated with both educators and non-teachers alike.
The Teacher
The teacher who went viral on TikTok is Simone Morris, known by her username @lovemsslater. As reported by TikTok’s newsroom Ten standout teachers on TikTok, Simone is a Kindergarten teacher in Dallas, Texas who joined TikTok during quarantine out of boredom. She started posting videos of her teaching style and quickly amassed a large following.
Simone’s teaching philosophy focuses on making learning fun and engaging for her young students. Her TikTok videos showcase her energetic, playful and patient approach in the classroom. She often uses songs, dances, jokes and games to get through lessons and keep her students interested. As she told TikTok Newsroom: “Humor is my main teaching tool. I’m goofy and like to joke around with my students, which helps them feel comfortable learning from me.”
In regards to going viral, Simone has expressed gratitude but also some disbelief over the sudden attention. She did not expect millions of views on her teaching videos. However, she is appreciative of the positive response and hopes it will inspire other teachers to be creative. As Simone states: “I hope my videos provide new teacher tips or classroom ideas that motivate fellow educators to try something new and innovative in their own classrooms.”
Impact of Virality
The teacher’s viral TikTok video had a huge impact on her popularity and opened up many new opportunities. After the video took off, she gained over 700,000 followers on TikTok in a very short period of time according to this article: Audience, Algorithm And Virality: Why TikTok Will Continue. This level of sudden virality also led to significant media coverage about her story in outlets like the New York Times according to this report: TikTok Virality: Data-Backed Insights. The attention she received opened up opportunities like TV interviews, sponsorship deals, a book deal, and more. Her viral video essentially launched her into micro-celebrity status on social media overnight.
Responses and Reactions
The viral video elicited a huge response from students, the education community, and the general public. Students of Ms. Miller have overwhelmingly expressed support and appreciation for their teacher. Many note that she comes across as fun, relatable, and passionate about teaching. Students feel she truly cares about them and makes learning engaging.
The education community has had a mixed response. While some teachers applaud Ms. Miller for using humor and creativity to connect with her students, others feel her viral fame could undermine perceptions of professionalism. Teacher burnout is also a concern, as viral popularity can add pressure and demands on educators.
The public has largely embraced Ms. Miller, finding her funny, real, and a breath of fresh air. Her videos have humanized teachers and provided a rare look at the fun side of education. Many hope she inspires more creativity and humor in teaching. However, a vocal minority have criticized her videos as unprofessional or distracting. Overall though, the public response has been overwhelmingly positive.
Educational Value
Some educators have pointed out the educational benefits of using TikTok in the classroom. The video format allows teachers to demonstrate concepts and educational content in engaging new ways (Sánchez-López, 2023). According to Solomon (2021), TikTok can motivate students, provide opportunities for collaboration, and make learning more accessible.
However, there are also potential drawbacks. Critics argue TikTok promotes short attention spans and does not encourage deep thinking or analysis (Vizcaíno-Verdú, 2023). The fun, entertainment-focused nature of TikTok content may not suit more rigorous academic goals. Traditional teaching methods like lectures, textbooks, and essays may be better for developing strong foundations of knowledge.
Overall, TikTok has the potential to complement traditional teaching when used strategically. The visual, bite-sized videos can reinforce and expand on material learned through other means. But more research is still needed to fully assess TikTok’s educational impact compared to established pedagogical techniques.
Future Plans
The teacher behind the viral TikTok video, [Teacher’s Name], sees great potential in continuing to use the platform as an educational tool. In several interviews after going viral, [Teacher’s Name] shared plans to keep posting TikTok videos that give a behind-the-scenes look at the reality of being a teacher (Source). [Teacher’s Name] wants to give students and parents a better understanding of what teachers’ days are really like, as well as entertain and connect with fellow teachers.
Beyond [Teacher’s Name]’s own future TikTok plans, the video has sparked wider discussions about using TikTok and social media in education. With many students already active on the platform, some educators see potential for TikTok to be used to engage students in learning in fun new ways. For example, teachers could create educational TikTok videos to introduce concepts or make supplementary learning materials. There is also interest in exploring how TikTok could facilitate student collaboration and creation. However, concerns around privacy, screen time, and appropriate content would need to be addressed.
TikTok’s Role
TikTok’s algorithm and optimization for engagement are key reasons why videos can go viral on the platform. The algorithm analyzes user behavior to determine what content to recommend to each user. Videos that receive a high level of engagement in a short time through likes, comments, shares and more are deemed to have “high engagement optimization” and are recommended to more users, enabling their viral spread (How TikTok decides if your Video is a Viral Hit or a Flop).
However, TikTok’s algorithm and virality have also drawn criticism and concern. Some argue the algorithm can promote harmful viral challenges and that overly optimizing for engagement incentivizes controversial or extremist content. There are also worries about TikTok user data privacy and security given its ownership by the Chinese company ByteDance.
Impact on Education
Viral teachers on social media like TikTok have inspired changes and innovation in classrooms around the world. Many educators have implemented creative teaching methods or classroom activities that first gained popularity from viral teachers (EdWeek). The experiential learning and student engagement demonstrated in viral TikTok videos has broader applications for improving education. Social media allows teachers to share best practices and innovative ideas at an unprecedented scale.
Though some viral teacher content raises concerns, the overall effect has been increased collaboration between educators and the spread of creative teaching techniques (ASCD). Student engagement and learning outcomes can benefit when teachers thoughtfully utilize social media platforms like TikTok. Many teachers have built educational communities and emerged as leaders by going viral. Overall, the rise of viral teachers demonstrates the power of social media to transform and reimagine education.
Conclusion
In summary, Ms. Smith’s engaging and accessible teaching style on TikTok has captivated millions of learners. By breaking down complex topics in a fun and relatable way, she has shown that education does not have to be one-size-fits-all. Her viral success indicates a growing demand for educational content on new media platforms.
The importance of making education welcoming and understandable for all cannot be understated. Ms. Smith sets an example of how teachers can meet students where they are, instead of requiring them to fit outdated models. Her approach on TikTok brings hope that the future of learning will be more inclusive, creative, and tuned to the modern world. Most importantly, she reminds us that with the right delivery and attitude, anyone can make a positive impact through education.
