180: Teaching with Humor: Building Rapport in the Classroom (with Kevin McClintock aka @MrMcTikTok)

Humor is one way to build rapport with your students, but there’s more to it than just being the “fun teacher.” Kevin McClintock – better known as Mr. McTiktok – shares from his experiences as a teacher and social media influencer, underscoring the importance of consistent boundaries and connecting with your students.

• Follow Kevin: Instagram | TikTok
• “When the kids come into class and they know what’s expected of them inside the class, we can get stuff done. We still can be funny, but we have certain goals.”
• “When you are kind of an entertainer, there’s always going to be this ebb and flow. Sometimes you have to be more direct.”
• “If they know that there are boundaries, they feel safe. That’s when you get to be silly, that’s when you get to be goofy and it’s not a detriment to class.”
• “My advice is to not just throw in humor but to get to know the kids. You have to observe them, you have to know their interests.”
• “Consistency is the key. Consistently pouring into those kids, you will break down their barriers.”
• “Consistency and showing interest in your students [are] way more important than just being goofy.”
• “The one thing that I miss [about teaching] is the relationship with the kids.”
• “You can’t teach a subject to someone that’s not willing. When you know them, that’s when they’re going to want to learn.”
• “I’m not going to get them to try to love history, but they know that I love them.”

What’s changing our lives:

• Keane: Replacing older shirts
• Heather: Messaging with her cousin’s daughter
• Kevin: Getting diagnosed with ADHD

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