Conversations with Alex

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex.

Alex, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am a special education teacher at a fully inclusive school, meaning that students of all disabilities are included in the general education setting. I support students within their classroom and make sure that they have the accommodations and modifications they need to thrive.

I started this job in the middle of the 2022-2023 school year. Before this, I was a substitute teacher. I began to document my journey on TikTok @outofoffice.alex when I was hired as a long-term substitute teacher for a Chinese Language Program due to the sub shortage. It was an unusual role as I do not speak any Chinese and held a student teachers internship as I was a first-year teacher myself. Since my first post about the position, I have gained many followers and have posted educational videos about substitute teaching and inclusion for all students.

I have shared on my account that I have ADHD, which has made my educational career very challenging. I have first-hand experience of what it’s like to struggle in school and feel different compared to my neurotypical classmates. I have learned to work with my unique brain as I continue to learn about others. I hope to inspire others to advocate for inclusive practices in all classrooms and to treat others with kindness.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It is difficult to be an advocate online while also teaching in the environment we are in today.

As a teacher, I keep my students’ lives apart from my TikTok account. I do my best to share general knowledge, stories from my day as a teacher, or resources for teachers who want to be more inclusive.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My job title is a learning center teacher, but I work in a fully inclusive public school so my job operates differently than a typical LC teacher. I support students within their classrooms with limited pullout.

Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Being an educator who shares their experience in our educational world today is risk-taking for the fact that anyone can take your words and twist them to become political.

I don’t want to be a politician, but teaching is unfortunately political. It’s sometimes difficult to show a happy face online while you are in an educational crisis.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: instagram.com/outofoffice.alex/
• Tiktok: tiktok.com/@outofoffice.alex