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Ģ����Ƶ: You’re a two-time Ģ����Ƶ graduate and former student-athlete — how did your time at Ģ����Ƶ shape the teacher you are today?

Julia: My time at Ģ����Ƶ was such a special time. Whether I was learning on the court, the classroom or through friends I met along the way, it was an incredibly meaningful time.

I felt like my professors genuinely wanted what was best for me. Each class I took I made friends who shared the same passion as me and I still carry those friendships with me to this day.

Ģ����Ƶ: Was teaching always the plan, or did that passion develop over time?

Julia: My first semester I was a kinesiology major mostly because I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do. After volunteering and then getting a summer job at the Boys & Girls Club, I was sold. I changed my major to elementary education and never looked back. The impact you have on being a part in someone’s childhood was something I couldn’t pass up.

Ģ����Ƶ: What lessons from volleyball show up in your classroom?

Julia: Although I had a lot of playing time in high school, I actually sat the bench most of my college career. At first I had a very selfish approach to not getting playing time (like any college freshman), but then I learned my role on the team. I realized how important my position was whether I was playing or not. I learned more lessons about myself being a bench warmer than I would have if I was out on the court.

I can translate that over to the classroom all the time when talking about overcoming adversity. Finding the beauty in things not originally going as planned has been a common theme we talk about in my classroom. My students are 10 turning 11, and this seems to be a year where they are learning a lot about their friendships and how important it is to surround yourself with people who build you up.

Ģ����Ƶ: What’s your philosophy on connecting with elementary students in today’s world?

Julia: We live in a world that struggles to communicate. As we have leaned on technology more and more, I feel like we are slowly losing that passion for real conversations. I love sharing and having meaningful conversations with my students. More times than not, my students truly share with one another. Whether it’s about school, friends or home life.

Ģ����Ƶ: You’ve built a platform around humor in the classroom. Why is laughter so important in learning?

Julia: I have always had so much joy in making others laugh. I am not someone who takes life super seriously, and I love to bring a smile to those around me. During my first year teaching, I realized how important that mantra was to my students. I noticed the more I made them laugh and enjoy being with me, the more I earned their respect.

I truly believe teaching with humor and joy creates a classroom culture that is positive and effective. I always thought to myself, “If my boss was mean to me and yelling at me all day, would I want to work hard for them?” No, of course not. I want my students to feel loved, and bringing laughter into the classroom provides that safe space.

Ģ����Ƶ: Your content has resonated with thousands. What made you start sharing your classroom moments online?

Julia: I never would have thought my social media would have taken off the way it has. I remember when I reached 1 million views for the first time. I was in pure shock at the positive feedback I received from something I thought was such a simple video.

Originally, I was just posting on my personal Instagram story for my first two years of teaching. TikTok began to be a very popular platform, and I remember someone just randomly told me I should give it a go. I posted a “Joke of the Day” video and the third one immediately took off. I continued to post each day, and it seemed as if people were waiting for the next one.

Ģ����Ƶ: Did you expect your “goofy fifth grade teacher” persona to take off the way it has?

Julia: Not at all. This was just a part of our daily dismissal routine I had captured and decided to share. I never thought it would turn into a separate little career.

Ģ����Ƶ: How do you decide what moments are worth sharing and what stays just for your students?

Julia: I only share our interactions during the Joke of the Day. If I post other things in the classroom, it’s just me sharing teacher tools, outfits of the day or sharing funny moments of teaching. My jokes have gotten the best feedback, so that is the only moment of our day I will share with the internet that includes them.

Ģ����Ƶ: What’s been the most surprising response you’ve received from your students and also your social media audience?

Julia: I love when my students share that they go home and watch the jokes on the TV at home. I have had parents tell me that they will tell jokes at the table or before bed, and it warms my heart that the joy and laughter doesn’t end in my classroom.

Another surprising response I have received are people who have run into me in public. I have had a few encounters of, “Wait, are you the Joke of the Day lady?” That always makes me laugh because I don’t realize how many people my videos reach.

Ģ����Ƶ: Where do you find the jokes?

Julia: At the beginning of the year, I would just Google “Jokes for Kids” and use whatever popped up. For a little while, I used a couple different joke books. The second half of the school year’s jokes were supplied by my students. They will submit jokes to my “mailbox” and earn rewards for doing so. Some students will make up their own, or they will go home and find some off the internet. I love doing it this way because they truly look forward to it.

Ģ����Ƶ: What do you hope your students remember most about being in your classroom years from now?

Julia: I hope they remember how I made them feel. My oldest students right now are only in seventh grade, so I haven’t had that moment where it’s been years and they come back to visit me. When they do, I hope they’ve felt heard, seen and loved. I am blessed to have a job that is incredibly impactful, and I pray I see that impact in my students’ successes later in life.

Ģ����Ƶ: How has your platform impacted you personally or professionally?

Julia: My platform has truly made me fall in love with teaching more than I ever thought I could. Being able to share my joy in the classroom to millions of people is something that is an unreal feeling.

Ģ����Ƶ: What message do you hope other educators take from your approach?

Julia: I hope other educators take a step back and realize how important building positive relationships in the classroom is. That is more important than any test score. Our words and actions are impactful on these students, so it is important to choose kindness.