Daily Inspiration: Meet Jere Chang

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jere Chang.

Jere , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am an elementary teacher in Atlanta. I started posting Tiktok videos in late 2020. I quickly stumbled upon #teachertok, and I discovered a common thread among many teachers posting videos – complaining about teaching. Not to take away from anyone’s experience; however, as I watched these videos, I wanted to see more videos of teachers celebrating teaching. That’s when I started posting stories, skits, and my overall love for teaching. And somewhere along the way, my wife started sending my pranked lunches that continue to create smiles and laughs among my viewers.

Within 6 months of posting my first Tiktok, I had nearly 200k followers, and Tiktok named me on of their LGBTQ Trailblazers of 2021.

Throughout the years, I have amassed over 3.5 millions followers across Tiktok, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook. My family was invited to visit the White House in 2023 and 2024 where Joe Biden hosted a LGBTQ PRIDE celebration.

As a result of my online presence, I have since become a keynote speaker, and recently signed a book deal coming out in 2026. It’s titled “The Day I Quit,” because I disliked school as a child, and I became the teacher I needed as a child. I hope the book inspires teachers to enjoy teaching as much as I do.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
For the most part it has been smooth. However, the reason I download Tiktok was to help me navigate the grieving process – I lost my parents a month apart in early 2020.

I’ve also discovered with success comes more hate. I have grown accustomed to hateful and negative comments over the years.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Teacher: I teach gifted education elementary school. I prefer not to share my school. I value creating a classroom where students feel safe and valued and safe regardless of their identity or background. I hope to create a space where students feel comfortable making mistakes and can thrive as their authentic selves.

Social Media/Influencer: I love creating videos that make folks smile – like my lunch prank videos. I also like making videos that help people better understand gifted education and the complexities of giftedness, neurodivergence, and twice exceptionalities. Lastly, I create videos that incorporate creating an inclusive classroom.

Public Speaker: Here’s a link to my public speaker bio – https://premierespeakers.com/speakers/jere-chang
I love having an opportunity to speak with fellow educators as well as school and district leaders.

Author: I never imagined writing a book, but when Wiley/Jossey Bass publisher reached out, I was all in. I hope my book shows teachers the impacts that we have on our students.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
My family – Growing up gay in a Sugar Hill, GA (a small conservative town) in the 80s/90s was rough. I have absolutely not gay/queer representation, and I lived a closeted life until I became financially independent after college. I never imagine a world where I could get married and have children. My wife and two sons mean the world to me. Of all the job and/or accomplishments I have endured, nothing compares to being a mom.

Pricing:

• My social media @ is mschanggifted – Tiktok, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook
• My book The Day I Quit will be released summer 2026
• My website is mschanggifted.com – You can request to hear me speak here

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mschanggifted.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mschanggifted/?igsh=MXhqMHVpbjYycTN6&utm_source=qr#
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1PEq4hPm1z/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@mschanggifted?si=8HeLjDpzBjFG3CQ0
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@mschanggifted?_t=ZT-8uifSxGuckF&_r=1

Image Credits
Ann Packwood