When one teacher posted an absurd yearbook photo on her Instagram, it stopped my scroll—and clearly, I wasn’t the only one. Her post has received a lot of attention, striking a chord with educators.
Here’s what she wrote: “Each year, my goal is simple: teach the lessons, make them laugh, and take one completely absurd yearbook photo that no one will ever forget, because joy matters. Years later, when my students return as college kids, they don’t talk about grades or projects, they talk about my silly yearbook photo. I want my students to know that school can be full of laughter, memories, and even a bit of chaos.”
This message resonated deeply with me, and I wanted to learn more about the teacher behind the photo. Meet Jere Chang, a gifted-education teacher whose Instagram and all of her social media is full of the same energy and heart that’s winning over thousands. Here’s my Q&A with her.
Where do you teach and how long have you been a teacher?
I teach gifted education at Drew Charter School in Atlanta, Georgia, and I’ve been in the classroom for over 20 years. I’ve taught everything from kindergarten through college, including ESOL, general education, and currently gifted education in 1st through 3rd grades.
When did you start taking funny yearbook photos? How many do you have now?
I started about 10 years ago when I realized teachers could either dread picture day or own it. It began as a joke, but now it’s tradition.
Do you have a favorite photo that you’ve taken?
My favorite one is my first one with my glasses, wild hair, big smile, and pink plaid shirt. It’s the one that most former students rave about.
Do you have a special memory of a student who came up to you years later and shared how they remembered your photo?
Yes! I had a former student come back from college and say, “Ms. Chang, I still show people your yearbook pictures when they ask who my favorite teacher was.” That meant the world to me. The photo may have been funny, but what they really remembered was how our classroom felt.
What’s your “why” for teaching?
I teach because I know what it’s like to hate school, and I want my students to feel the opposite. I want them to laugh, feel seen, and believe they belong exactly as they are.
How do you hope your students will remember you years from now?
I hope they remember me as the teacher who made learning fun, believed in them fiercely, and reminded them that joy and curiosity go hand in hand.
It’s a tough time right now to be a teacher. Do you have any words of wisdom or support to offer other teachers?
Remember to take care of yourself. You can’t pour from an empty cup, but you can refill it with laughter, community, and grace for yourself. We’re shaping lives, not just data goals.
What’s a tip you have to keep the joy in teaching?
Build joy into your routine. Play a quick game, celebrate random holidays, or start class with a silly question. The more joy you create intentionally, the more it naturally grows. Don’t let veteran teachers make your new and fresh ideas feel invalid. Bring all the new energy as we pass the torch to you. Kids these days deserve the best of us, so don’t let others and/or data design your journey.
What else should we know about you?
Outside of school, I’m a national speaker and digital content creator with over 4 million followers, sharing stories that celebrate teachers and real classrooms. I just finished my first book, and it’s coming out May 2026. It’s a two-part book that traces my journey from a struggling student to thriving educator, then offers practical strategies and heartfelt stories to help teachers rediscover joy and purpose in the classroom. I live in Atlanta, Georgia, with my wife and our two sons.
You can find all of Ms. Cheng’s links on her website right here.
Want more articles like this? Be sure to subscribe to our newsletters where we regularly share great teacher stories.
