Beyond the 'Clout': Reclaiming TikTok as a Tool for the International Teaching Community

The classroom has traditionally been a private space — a sanctuary where a teacher and thirty learners engage in the messy, brilliant, and often exhausting work of education. But the rise of "EduTok" has thrown the doors open.

While some see this as a distraction, we should view it as an opportunity. If used with purpose rather than for "likes," TikTok can be the most empowering tool for professional development since the invention of the staffroom kettle. However, to get there, we have to talk about the difference between authentic practice and unprofessional performance.

The 'Win': More Than Just a Sing-Along

I recently saw a video of a teacher dealing with a chatty class by playing a song and singing along with his students. It was a fantastic display of rapport-building. But as any experienced educator knows, the real "magic" isn't the song—it’s what happens when the music stops. How do you transition that energy back into deep work?

This is where TikTok can shine. When we share these "wins," they must be authentic to our teaching style. For some, it’s a dance at the door. For others—like my own practice as a History teacher—it’s more subtle. I used to set themes for my lessons, treating the curriculum like a linear story. Students would enter to traditional music that matched the era we were studying, immediately sparking the question: “How does this relate to today’s lesson?”

Sharing these strategies isn't about showing off; it's about providing a global toolkit. Making learning "fun" is often the best way to make it stick, but these techniques must be grounded in genuine pedagogy, not just a desire to go viral.

The 'Loss': The Dangers of the Digital Staffroom

We’ve all felt the "daily grind"—the 90% of the job that is a battle with behaviour, budgets, and bureaucracy. Showing this side is vital for teacher retention, especially for the younger generation who need to know they aren't alone in the struggle.

However, there is a professional red line that is currently being crossed. We’ve all seen the videos: teachers reading out emails from "challenging" parents, mocking their concerns for the sake of a laugh.

This isn't professional; it’s toxic. Most of these emails, when stripped of the TikTok filter, contain reasonable questions. Mocking parents or students for "clout" serves no one. It damages the reputation of the school, the teacher, and the profession at large. If we want schools to trust us with social media, we must prove we can use it constructively, not as a weapon to mock the community we serve.

The School’s Stance: Cooperation over Constraint

It is completely understandable why Headteachers are wary. One viral mistake can cause a safeguarding nightmare or a PR crisis. But rather than a blanket ban, there is a middle ground.

By cooperating with leadership and adhering to strict "Digital Red Lines"—no student visibility, no naming, and no mocking—teachers can use these platforms to:

• Mentor Early Career Teachers (ECTs) who feel isolated.

• Share creative "Hooks" that actually work in a secondary environment.

• Humanise the profession, showing the warmth and joy that still exists amidst the challenges.

The Verdict: Authenticity is Key

TikTok shouldn't be used to hide the truth of how challenging teaching is, nor should it be used to "bitch" about the very people we are there to help.

It should be a mirror of the classroom: a place for storytelling, for innovative "wins," and for honest, professional reflection on the "losses." When we stop focusing on the bureaucracy and start focusing on the craft, we don't just become better teachers—we build a global community that actually supports one another.