This Wholesome Aussie TikTok Teacher Almost Makes Me Want To Go Back To School
I don’t remember much about primary school. I couldn’t tell you what I studied in grade six. I can’t recall any books that I read in English class. I don’t remember my locker combination. But what I do remember is my favourite teacher.
It doesn’t matter how many years stretch between the year you graduated to today, a great teacher will stay with you. The kind of teacher who makes you excited to go to class, and inspires you to want to learn every day. Often, this teacher is a ‘cool teacher’, the type of educator who speaks to you like you’re their equal, and maybe even lets you call them by a special nickname.
I was recently scrolling TikTok (as I do, every day, all day) and came across an Aussie teacher who is wildly popular on the app, and his videos took me straight back to my childhood. His name is Luke (@iam.mrluke) and that’s also the name his students call him. Luke teaches primary school and posts videos often filmed in the classroom, sharing funny and heartwarming encounters he has with his kids on a daily basis.
Luke’s TikToks have amassed a huge following, he has over 470k followers and 10.5 million likes (and counting).
@iam.mrlukeJust some daily teacher life warm and fuzzy. #teacherlife #cute #school #tiktokteacher #warmandfuzzy #mrluke♬ Send Me on My Way – Vibe Street
Luke started his account in 2019, after being introduced to the app by his cousin. “Originally I thought I’d just use it to pass my free time (well, what little free time I have as a teacher anyway!). However, after a small while I thought the idea of it all just seemed so much fun, so I jumped into creating!” Luke told us.
“My very first video went pretty well (over a million views!) which I just thought was insane! From then on, it’s been a fun and creative way to share what it’s like to be a teacher.”
His videos are truly wholesome and his passion for his kids is infectious.
@iam.mrlukeNew school year! New class theme! #teacherlife #backtoschool #aussieschool #education #school #teacher #teacherTikTok #tiktokteacher #mrluke♬ Send Me on My Way – Vibe Street
Luke goes above and beyond for his students, including dressing up for theme days.
@iam.mrlukeI love my job. #teacherlife #granny #school #classroom #dressup #funny #gangsta #gangstagranny #teachersof2020 #tiktokteacher♬ original sound – Dougie
And repping the school’s colours for sports days.
@iam.mrlukeSports Day! #teacherlife #sports #fitness #school #getthelook #glitter #glitterbeard #beard♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys – Kevin MacLeod
Rather than being addressed by his surname, he told us he prefers being called Luke by his students. “In my mind, being addressed as Mr or Sir is just so formal and unnecessary when I’m working with my kids. Also, everyone addresses me as Luke in my general life (family, friends, etc), so why should it be any different with my kids?”.
@iam.mrlukeNever. Ever. #teacherlife #school #teacher #mrluke♬ Night Trouble – Petit Biscuit
Luke’s TikToks are overwhelmingly positive and optimistic, so we asked him how he manages to stay so upbeat all the time. Luke replied, “I’m a big believer that life is more enjoyable and fun when you have a positive mindset. Now, don’t get me wrong, of course there are days when things don’t go right. We’re all only human!
“But, I do try really hard to see the good in each day, and usually that good comes from my job. It comes from working with my kids and watching them and helping them grow into their own individual selves…Coffee also helps a lot.”
As you can tell, he’s also just very funny.
@iam.mrlukeWoops! #teacherlife #teachersoftiktok #classroom #fyp #fail #mistakes #makemistakes♬ EverybodyMakesMistakes – Jason Wolbert
A 2020 survey found that Aussie ‘tweens’ aged 10-13 years old use TikTok at the highest rate, with 40% using the app. Considering this, Luke’s got to be some kind of celebrity at his school, right? “My students and other teachers are aware that I’m on TikTok,” Luke admitted.
“I’ve also had parents say they laughed a couple times watching my videos, which is always truly heartwarming to hear. My students have used the ‘famous’ word before, but I don’t personally think I’d go that far. I guess we all have our own definitions of what makes that these days. I’d consider myself a little fish in a big, big TikTok ocean.”
@iam.mrlukeJust me being a teacher… #teacherlife #teacher #TeacherTikTok #TikTokTeacher #education #fyp♬ Send Me on My Way – Guy Meets Girl
Luke’s so popular that he often gets sent gifts by his thousands of fans. “This still shocks me…Gifts I’ve received range from personalised letters (from here in Australia and around the world), to specialised signs for my classroom to match my classroom theme, to personalised jewellery. All of which I am so grateful for.”
@iam.mrlukeKids be amazing. My job is the best. #kindness #teacherlife #school #education #mrluke #love #magic #teacher♬ Send Me on My Way – Guy Meets Girl
Ultimately, Luke wants his TikTok to not only inspire his kids, but others to consider teaching as a rewarding career. “One thing I do receive is letters (via mail or online) explaining how my videos have inspired others to study teaching, or how they have helped encourage and inspire pre-service teachers or those already in the education field to love what they do. Those messages really make me smile because I guess they align with the goal I have for my account.”