Principals on TikTok?! Yes, TikTok.
Why is EdWeek writing about this? Because it鈥檚 fun. And it鈥檚 a tiny break from all the heaviness we鈥檙e shouldering. (Programming note: Prepare for an overuse of parentheticals in this post.)
This isn鈥檛 an EdWeek-style explainer on why principals are on TikTok or the bigger meaning of millenials, Gen Xers, and maybe some boomers infiltrating a platform dominated by pre-teens and teens.
Nope, it鈥檚 just a simple list of some school leaders who鈥檝e embraced the wildly popular video app filled with 60-second dances, lip syncs, and comedy bits.
The #principalsoftiktok I鈥檝e now spent several hours watching are entertaining, hilarious, creative, and passionate. (Special props to colleagues Stacey Decker and Maeve Sheridan for their help in finding some of these gems.)
See it for yourselves. Here鈥檚 my list of stand-out creators.
The Most Followed (and Prolific) Principal (in an unscientific search)
罢丑补迟鈥檚 . She posts her daily intentions鈥攊ncluding the all-important 鈥測ou will pee today"鈥攖hat get upended by the mundane, absurd happenings at school. And when her administrative assistant appears, hilarity ensues.
@drzeisner ##principalsoftiktok ##teachersoftiktok ##fyp ##peebreak ##lennie 鈾� original sound - drzeisner
The Principal With the Best Moves
罢丑补迟鈥檚 鈥攖he dopest dancer in the #principalsoftiktok community鈥攚ho professes her love of middle school.
@principaldiaries My college clubbing days & current ##clubquarantine ##danceismytherapy ##destinyschild ##belairathletics @luismcervantes_ ##principalsoftiktok 鈾� Jumpin Jumpin Destinys Child Nick Henton Mix - luismcervantes_
The Principal Who Gives You All the Feels
For me, that鈥檚 , who confronts sexism, racism, and celebrates the brilliance and joy of her children.
@mrsappiahmcnulty When they ask for the Principal and don't know they are looking at HER...##principalsoffice ##principalsoftiktok ##foryoupage ##trend##JMP鈾嶏笍 ##whoishe 鈾� original sound - mrsappiahmcnulty
The Most Passionate Advocate for Bilingualism
罢丑补迟鈥檚 , a former principal who now consults on linguistic diversity and cultural competency in education and a proud, fluent speaker of Spanglish, challenges educators to dismantle systems of oppression. His spoof of teachers partying at an out-of-town conference....
@josemedina1000 You're White & speak Spanish? Great. Communities of Color are ##bilingual their entire lives & it's not about likes & followers. ##learnontiktok ##fyp 鈾� original sound - josemedina1000
The Best Demonstrator of COVID-19 Cleaning Protocols
罢丑补迟鈥檚 , who also posts a lot about the give and take of a modern marriage.
@principalmansur Did I do this challenge right? ##wipeitdown ##maincharacter ##wipeitdownchallenge ##xyzbca ##trending ##principalsoftiktok ##principalsinaction 鈾� original sound - thatredactedguy
The Principal With the Most (Pop) Cultured 69传媒
That could be , who has an elementary student speaking their mind on burning issues of our time: 鈥淒on鈥檛 drink bleach. Carol Baskin killed her huzzband.鈥�
@hawkeyeoftexas Kids write the darndest things! Shout out to Avery! We do need a new president! ##vote ##fyp ##foryou 鈾� original sound - hawkeyeoftexas
The Principal Obsessed With Sticky Notes
罢丑补迟鈥檚 definitely , who has contributed to a thriving subgenre of videos on .
@pelotonprincipal ##educatorsoftiktok ##principalsoftiktok ##educatorhacks ##stickynotes Affinity Diagrams 鈾� original sound - pelotonprincipal
Image: @principaldiaries via TikTok
Are you a principal, assistant principal, or aspiring school leader? Sign up for , EdWeek鈥檚 weekly newsletter for school leaders.