Today we’d like to introduce you to Akayla Joseph.
Hi Akayla, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I didn’t choose teaching; teaching chose me.Growing up, I always entertained the idea of becoming a teacher. I loved playing school and would beg my neighbors to come over so I could use them as my students in my pretend classroom. Whenever I told the adults around me that I was going to be a teacher, I received the same response: “Teachers don’t make enough money.” Coming from a poor family, that terrified me. In high school, I was confused and, honestly, in denial about the career path that was best for me. At different points, I wanted to be a social worker, a child psychologist, and even a pediatric nurse (which was short-lived after I barely passed chemistry.) I went into college as an “undeclared major,” and it wasn’t until the end of my sophomore year that I finally accepted that teaching was what I wanted to do. My first years of teaching were spent at Alcott Elementary School in Pontiac, Michigan. The school is located in the center of the largest low-income housing project in the city. Like most teachers, I have a collection of stories and memories from my first year. Those first years of teaching were hard, and there were many times I went home questioning whether I had chosen the right career path. But there is one experience in particular that made me realize I was exactly where I was meant to be. One weekend, I went to a local community event and was given a handful of toothbrushes. I decided that the following school day, I would offer them to any of my students who were interested in having one. I remember walking into school with this small box of toothbrushes thinking there was no way my students would be interested. They were all the same color and didn’t even have characters on them! At the end of the school day, I presented them to my second graders and told them to raise their hands if they would like one. Nearly every student raised their hand. Now, if you’ve worked with kids, you know this isn’t uncommon. Everyone volunteers for everything, and everyone wants what everyone else has. So I turned it into a mini-lesson about wants and needs. Then, I told my students to only keep their hands raised if they actually needed a toothbrush. I even showed them that they were just ordinary toothbrushes and there wasn’t anything special about them. Not a single hand went down. One by one, my students started sharing why they needed a toothbrush. “I never had a toothbrush before.” “My siblings and I share one.” “Mine dropped on the floor in kindergarten and my mom never bought me a new one.” At this point in the school year, I thought I knew my students. I was constantly filling our classroom treasure box with things I knew kids were into.slime, scented erasers, stickers, and all of the other little things that made them excited. But how had I not realized that some of my students were lacking basic necessities at home? I wish I could put into words the emotions I felt in that moment. I realized that I never truly knew what my students needed because I had never taken the time to ask. I gave away every single toothbrush that day and went to the store after school to buy more. That experience changed me. I had worked so hard to get to the point I was at that I had forgotten where I came from. I was once one of those kids sitting at a school desk, lacking necessities at home. There were nights when I didn’t have a meal to eat before bed or before school, a place to wash my face, or even a toothbrush. Just like my students, no one knew what I was going through at home because no one took the time to ask. That was when I truly understood my “why.” I realized that being a teacher was about so much more than teaching academics. It was about seeing children, listening to them, understanding them, and being the person who makes them feel supported, valued, and capable. My experiences as a child shaped the teacher I wanted to become. And eventually, that “why” grew beyond my own classroom.
When most people think about social media, they think about entertainment or a way to pass the time. But to me, social media has become so much more. It is one of the many ways I inspire, interact with, and learn from teachers all over the world. In the summer of 2021, I relocated from Michigan to Texas. I was a teacher with summers off, living in a new state without friends or family nearby. Out of boredom, I decided to start a “Teacher TikTok.” I had no idea what it would become. I quickly grew a following, and today I have more than 50,000 followers across platforms. About 80% of my content centers around teaching. I share teacher tips, resources, classroom ideas, and the realities of being an educator. In many ways, I became someone who “influences” other educators and future educators simply by sharing what I was learning and experiencing in my own classroom. I have always been aware of my following, but it wasn’t until one particular encounter with a substitute teacher that I realized just how far my impact could reach. I had taken a half day off and stayed a little after my scheduled time to leave to make sure everything was in place for my substitute. As I was getting ready to head out, I was greeted by a gentleman I’ll call Mr. B. I gave him a quick breakdown of the day, and as I grabbed my bag, he politely asked, “Are you on TikTok?” Before I could even answer, he told me how much he enjoyed watching my content. He shared that he was currently in school pursuing a career in education. He rarely saw Black men or women in education, and growing up, he never had a teacher who looked like him. There had been many times when he wanted to give up and pursue a different career, but seeing my content encouraged him to keep going.He also told me that nearly every encounter he had with a teacher consisted of someone telling him not to go into education. He said how happy he was to see a teacher who genuinely loved teaching. To say I was shocked was an understatement. My heart hurts for Mr. B and for all of the other “Mr. B’s” out there. That conversation made me realize that my classroom isn’t the only place where I can make an impact. My story, my experiences, and even my decision to openly share my love for teaching can reach people I may never meet in my classroom. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, Black teachers make up a small percentage of the nation’s public school teaching workforce. Representation matters, and so does encouragement. Sometimes, seeing someone who looks like you, understands where you come from, and genuinely loves what they do can be enough to remind you that you belong.I often think about how many other aspiring teachers have had experiences like Mr. B. How many have been told that teaching isn’t worth it? How many have questioned whether they belong in education because they didn’t see people like themselves represented? How many may have chosen a different major or career simply because they didn’t have someone encouraging them to keep going? That is why I continue to share.The little girl who used to line up her neighbors and pretend to teach them never could have imagined that one day she would be teaching thousands of people she has never met. Teaching chose me long before I understood why.
My experiences as a child shaped my “why.” My students gave that “why” purpose. And social media has given me another platform to carry that purpose beyond the walls of my classroom.
Today, I don’t just want to be a teacher. I want to be the teacher I needed when I was a child and the teacher that someone like little me needs to see.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road most definitely hasn’t been easy. There have been a lot of twists, turns, and moments when I questioned whether I was on the right path. One of my biggest struggles early on was simply not believing that I could build a life and career that I was proud of. Growing up in a low-income family, I was constantly reminded that teachers “don’t make enough money,” so for the longest time… I was afraid to pursue something I genuinely loved. I spent years trying to convince myself that I needed to choose a different career, one that seemed more financially secure or more impressive. And when I became a teacher, it didn’t get any easier. Teaching is one of those professions where you can give everything you have and still go home wondering if you did enough. My first years were incredibly challenging. I was working with students who had needs that extended far beyond academics, and I often felt like I didn’t have all of the tools or resources to give them everything they deserved. There were plenty of nights when I questioned whether I had made the right decision. Ironically, some of those hardest moments were the moments that helped me understand why I was there. My experience with the toothbrushes was one of those moments. It forced me to look beyond what I thought my students needed and reminded me of where I came from. It was uncomfortable to realize that I had been so focused on being a “good teacher” that I hadn’t always stopped to ask what my students actually needed. That experience changed the way I viewed teaching and ultimately gave me a much clearer sense of purpose.
Another major challenge came when I moved from Michigan to Texas in 2021. I was leaving behind my family, friends, and everything familiar to start over in a completely new state. I didn’t know many people, and there were definitely moments when I felt isolated. In a funny way, that loneliness is actually what led me to start my Teacher TikTok. I started it because I was bored and looking for something to do during the summer, never imagining that it would eventually grow into something more than I could imagine! Of course, building a social media presence comes with its own challenges. There is pressure to constantly create, stay relevant, and put yourself out there while still maintaining the responsibilities of being a full-time teacher. It can also be difficult to remember that social media only shows a small part of someone’s life. There have been times when I’ve compared myself to other creators or wondered whether what I was doing was “enough.” I’ve had to learn that growth doesn’t always happen in a straight line. There have been moments when I felt behind, moments when I questioned myself, and moments when I wasn’t sure what the next step was supposed to be. But looking back, I can see that the uncertainty was part of the journey. Every time I thought I was being redirected, I was actually being pushed closer to the person I was meant to become. So no, the road hasn’t been smooth. But I don’t think I would change that. The struggles have shaped the way I teach, the way I connect with people, and the way I use my platform. They have also taught me that sometimes the experiences you wish you could skip end up becoming the very experiences that give you something meaningful to share with others.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a first-grade teacher, educator, and content creator. In my classroom, I focus on creating an environment where students feel safe, supported, loved, and excited to learn. I believe that before a child can truly learn, they need to know that they are seen, valued, and cared for. That belief has shaped the way I teach and the type of classroom community I work to create every year. Over the years, my work has led to some incredible opportunities and milestones. In 2024, I was honored to be named Teacher of the Year. I was also fortunate enough to be a guest on The Jennifer Hudson Show, which was an experience I never could have imagined when I was a little girl playing school with my neighbors. Those accomplishments mean a tremendous amount to me, and I am incredibly grateful for each of them. But my most significant accomplishment in education is something that cannot be captured on a piece of paper or presented to me as an award. My greatest accomplishment is the safe space I create for my students every year. It is the hugs I get as I stand by my door and greet my students each morning. It is the “I missed yous” and “I love yous” I hear throughout the day. It is watching a child who was hesitant to speak begin to raise their hand. It is seeing a student who once doubted themselves begin to believe in what they are capable of. When my students walk into my classroom, I want them to know that they are loved, supported, and safe. I want them to know that they have someone who believes in them and that their classroom is a place where they can be exactly who they are. Awards and opportunities are wonderful reminders of the work I’ve done, but the relationships I build with my students are what remind me why I do it. I think that is ultimately what sets me apart. I don’t want to simply be remembered as a teacher who taught her students to read, write, or solve a math problem. I want to be remembered as the teacher who made them feel like they mattered. And that is the accomplishment that matters most.
What’s next?
Right now, I am excited to continue growing in the areas that I already love. I want to continue doing what I love in the classroom; creating a safe, positive, and engaging environment for my students and continuing to grow as an educator. Every year brings a new group of students, new challenges, and new opportunities to learn and I don’t think I will ever stop being excited about that. I also want to continue creating content and building connections with other educators and creators. Social media has introduced me to an incredible community of people who inspire me, challenge me, and remind me that teaching can be a very big world even when you’re standing inside one classroom. I want to continue using my platform to share ideas, encourage other teachers, and hopefully inspire future educators. As far as what’s next, I don’t have everything mapped out and I’m okay with that. I’ve learned that some of the best opportunities in my life were the ones I never planned for. I never planned to move to Texas, start a Teacher TikTok, grow a community or even end up on The Jennifer Hudson Show. So there may not be a big change on the horizon right now, but I truly believe the sky is the limit. I’m excited to keep showing up, keep creating, keep connecting, and see where this journey takes me next.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/mrsjosephteaches
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@akaylamiranda
