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Louisiana principal David Schexnaydre has a unique way of communicating with students and fostering a sense of community at his school 鈥� creating viral .

Whether he鈥檚 hopping on the or filming a , Schexnaydre uses TikTok to improve school culture at Harry Hurst Middle School as students recover from pandemic learning loss.

With over 2 million views, , Schexnaydre has been able to leverage his social media presence to build trust with students.

鈥淲hether it鈥檚 academics, test scores or mental health, your initiatives will not work unless the school culture is right,鈥� Schexnaydre told 蜜桃影视.

Schexnaydre鈥檚 strategy has not only strengthened his connection with his students, but has also helped him retain and recruit new teachers.

With a 95% teacher retention rate, Schexnaydre鈥檚 TikTok videos have created a positive learning environment for the 107 faculty members at Harry Hurst Middle School.

However, when there are vacancies, Schexnaydre often uses his social media presence as a way to entice prospective teachers.

Schexnaydre said his TikTok often became the 鈥渃onversation starter,鈥� noting that his videos engaging with students and faculty give applicants a clear picture of the school community they鈥檇 be joining. 

鈥淚t鈥檚 been a good tool for us,鈥� Schexnaydre said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e had really good applicants where four or five schools want them but they pick us because they saw our TikTok and how great of a school we are.鈥�

You never know what you might see on a Friday at

Katie Martinez, a 7th grade English teacher at Harry Hurst Middle School, said teachers rarely ever leave.

鈥淗e’s definitely a fun boss and just fabulous all the way around,鈥� Martinez told 蜜桃影视. 鈥淗e even involves the teachers in his TikToks and really brings together this school culture and community that people want to come work at.鈥�

Martinez noted how much her students adore Schexnaydre鈥檚 TikTok videos.

鈥淚t might seem like a silly thing and it might seem like no one cares, but the buy-in from the kids is monumental and it means the world to them,鈥� Martinez said. 

鈥淭hey idolize David because he takes the time to figure out what’s important to them and it makes them more willing to do what’s important to him.鈥�

Martinez also said Schexnaydre鈥檚 initiatives show how useful TikTok can be in schools.

鈥淭here鈥檚 definitely a way to use TikTok effectively and David has shown that it can grow a positive school culture among students and faculty,鈥� Martinez said.

Brandy Dufrene, a 6th grade science teacher at Harry Hurst Middle School, agreed with Martinez.

鈥淓specially in the middle school environment, students already think their teachers aren鈥檛 cool and we don鈥檛 understand them at the social-emotional level,鈥� Dufrene told 蜜桃影视. 鈥淪o I feel like if we can relate to them and build those relationships through their interests, TikTok can be helpful.鈥�

Jenny Bouler, the parent of a 6th grade student at Harry Hurst Middle School, supports Schexnaydre鈥檚 TikTok presence as a way to connect with students.

Bouler said Schexnaydre鈥檚 TikTok video by chasing after one he tossed in the air is one of many examples of the positive effect it can have on students.

鈥淢y initial thought was that it was brilliant and he鈥檚 a very creative principal,鈥� Bouler told 蜜桃影视. 鈥淗e brings topics that can be a little bit bland or dry or boring and really puts a spin on them that catches the kids attention and gets them more engaged.鈥�

Did a technology PSA on morning announcements this week

Jane Chauvin, the parent of a 7th grade student at Harry Hurst Middle School, agreed with Bouler.

鈥淎re there things on TikTok that are inappropriate for children? Absolutely. But our kids are smart and canny and denying access will make them want to use it more,鈥� Chauvin told 蜜桃影视.

Chauvin said Schexnaydre鈥檚 TikTok videos, such as his , reflects how other school administrators should approach the social media platform.

鈥淗is videos help him connect with our students in this digital world,鈥� Chauvin said. 鈥淥ur kids need to know that their teachers and administrators know what鈥檚 relevant to them.鈥�

Students get innovative when they forget their IDs!!!

Schexnaydre believes having access to TikTok is ultimately up to students鈥� parents.

鈥淚鈥檓 not trying to encourage students to make a TikTok, but a lot of them have it already,鈥� Schexnaydre said. 鈥淪o if you really want to reach people you have to go where they are, and that’s where our kids are.鈥�

Because of the overwhelmingly positive response, Schexnaydre said he has more TikTok ideas in the works.

鈥淛ust being able to do that extra little thing has made such a big difference,鈥� Schexnaydre said. 鈥淎nd if I can get the kids to be happy and excited to come to school on a Monday morning, the proof is in the pudding.鈥�

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