Episode 46: When Two Teacher Influencers Link ft. Tiffiney Lee

This week we are joined by the "Church Announcement" queen herself, Ms. Tiffiney Lee. Tiffiney and I sit down and have a long awaited for convo about the ups, downs, and pure chaos of being educators. From dealing with school politics to navigating life outside the classroom, we are giving y'all honesty and laughs in equal measure.

The episode starts with some real talk about self-care. Tiffiney shares her thoughts on cutting off forced family bonds, while I explain how fishing and mental health days keep me sane. We both agree that stepping back and prioritizing yourself isn’t just important—it’s necessary.

As social media creators, Tiffiney and I break down our experiences on TikTok, including the struggles of not landing brand deals and the pressure to stay authentic. We discuss how being financially stuck can make retirement seem like a distant dream and offer advice for building a platform without losing your voice.

We get into recurring problems with administrators, especially how some principals play favorites—like rigging Teacher of the Year elections. I share a familiar stories about switching districts, and Tiffiney opens up about working for bosses who made life miserable. We even discuss the eerie silence around a co-worker’s unexplained passing and removal and how it affected everyone.

Systemic issues in education also take center stage. From the lack of real mental health support for teachers to the hoops you have to jump through for funding, it’s clear the system is broken. And don’t even get us started on Virginia’s upcoming cell phone ban—we're kinda skeptical that a 26-page policy is going to fix anything.

We also discuss the real challenges of classroom behavior, like dealing with student theft and navigating tense conversations with parents. Tiffiney and I talk about the fine line between supporting families and maintaining professionalism, even when emotions run high.

Outside the classroom, we share our future goals. I have big plans for getting into politics  to make real changes, while Tiffiney talks about her four-day workweek job and how it’s drawing people to her district. We also discuss the struggles of balancing their personal lives with the constant scrutiny that comes with being public figures.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to teach being a "social media personality", this episode is for you. It’s honest, funny, and a little bit messy—just like life.

 Want even more? Check out this episode in video form on Patreon...coming soon!