To be or not to be influenced....that is the question

Current Instagram Profile Picture


CHEERS, FRIENDS, CHI, IOWA....these are the highlights that represent who I am on instagram. Within these 4 bubbles, you will get a glimpse into my college life, where I have traveled, all the incredible drinks and food I have tried over the years, and the places and people that I hold close to my heart. What you don't see are the meals that have been sent back to the kitchen, the hours I have put into studying, or the classroom that I have spent the last 3 years occupying. I spend more time in my classroom during the school year than I do in my own apartment so why isn't it on my social media? The breakfast club poster that I stare at everyday, the reminder to "slow down, you're doing fine", and of course the pink disco ball next to the greatest female artist to walk this earth are no where to be found on my page. To say my social media is personal so that's why my classroom is not on it because it is "professional" would be a lie. I just listed a few reasons as to why my classroom is very much personal... so why isn't it on my social media? Did it not fit the aesthetic of a young girl in her mid twenties who loves to visit all the new hot spot coffee shops and restaurants while living in the heart of the city? I honestly don't have an answer as to why a key part of who I am and what I do is missing from my socials.

The love hate relationship of teacher Tiktok <3

TikTok Trends Screenshot

Creating memes of our students, imitating their language, and adding humor to our shared traumas... these are all parts that embody #teachertok. I'd be lying if I said I didn't send the grinch and his sound "heyyyy what is up my guy" to my coworker around Christmas with one of the cringey captions that said something like "me when I go to my teacher bestie's classroom to yap". Laughing is the best medicine and it was relatable so send that TikTok. Even if it is just used for comedic relief, its amazing to feel like you all have these shared experiences. I have used it for instructional purposes as well. Finding classroom management strategies on TikTok is easier than you may think. Facebook also has groups for specific classes that share all sorts of resources. For example, this year our school has a new class called AP Seminar. Our team finds incredible resources from teachers that have been teaching this class for years on this Facebook page. We can use the structure and then tailor them to fit our students a little bit better. Recently, someone in the page made an excel sheet where schools from all over can add their research questions and other students can edit them. My students think I am a huge dork for using Facebook but hey they are the ones that are benefiting from it.

So who am I? 

I am a 24 year old sophomore English teacher who graduated from the University of Iowa in 2022. I am a proud 3rd year teacher (no I am not a new teacher still). I love to bake and recently just baked my first loaf of Irish soda bread using my great great grandma's recipe to celebrate March and St. Patrick's day. I have also decided I am a runner or am trying to be a runner and am training for a half marathon in September. I love hanging out with my family and friends. Warm weather is my favorite so if the patio is open, I will be sitting on the patio. Need a patio recommendation? Robert's Pizza has amazing views and super yummy pizza! Commonly known for their slushie drinks and work happy hours, Tiny Tapp also has a delicious iced caramel latte at their tiny cafe!













Comments

  1. Writer's WorkshopMarch 11, 2025 at 9:21 AM

    Hi there! This is Lauryn, by the way. I also know about teacher TikTok, and it's pretty interesting! I'm also a baker and Irish American, so soda bread is also really important in my household. My great great grandmother had an amazing soda bread recipe (she was from County Mayo), but I think my father or aunt lost it. What's your favorite thing to bake? What are excited about learning in this course?

    ReplyDelete
  2. NMZumpanoMarch 11, 2025 at 10:34 AM

    Hi, Anna. There are so many generous educators out there on social media sharing their strategies. I love that you and your coworkers have found some that have worked for your students. Looking forward to hearing more about how you are leveraging social media this spring.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Pete DrinanMarch 12, 2025 at 8:47 AM

    Hey Anna! Your blog post really captures the tension between personal and professional identity in the digital age, especially as a teacher. The way you reflect on what makes it onto your social media versus what doesn’t is so relatable. We curate these online personas, highlighting the aesthetically pleasing moments while unintentionally leaving out some of the most defining parts of our lives, like the classroom that consumes so much of your time and energy. Thanks so much for sharing!

    ReplyDelete

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