‘TikTok teacher’ brings different style to learning

Paul Anthony Myles is rewriting the rules of learning, one TikTok livestream at a time.

A former YouTube comedian from Ocho Rios, St Ann, Myles now draws up to 600 viewers daily with his impromptu 'classes' on TikTok, where he revisits the subjects he once loved, and admittedly struggled with in high school. Despite having been out of school for six years, and passing four of the six subjects he studied, Myles' raw passion for learning drives him to constantly improve.

"I do not do teaching as a profession as yet," Myles explained with a casual honesty that mirrors his on-screen style. "Since I started TikTok classes, I've considered teaching." The former Guys Hill and Fair Prospect high schools student said he's even considering retaking the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate mathematics exam after only getting a grade four.

"Now that I'm considering teaching, I know I need to improve. I'm willing to do it over because it would benefit me now," he said. This willingness to re-engage with challenging subjects has become a key part of his appeal.

"I only have [four] subjects, but I really wanted to promote and help people online refresh their brain," he added.

In just two short weeks, Myles' live sessions covering mathematics, English, social studies, human and social biology, history, and even fielding requests in other areas of study, have evolved from playful banter into interactive lessons. Viewers not only listen, but actively participate. The transformation was undeniable when, during a live stream, Myles recalled the moment his audience began engaging seriously.

"The viewers started participating and weren't joking any more. People requested me to go find out dosage calculations and many other topics. That's when I knew it was serious," he said. For Myles, every comment is a cue to dive deeper into a subject, even if it means pausing the show to research an answer in real time and then circling back with a proper explanation.

"I love to challenge my mind as well," he added, underscoring that this isn't just about entertaining his audience, but about learning and growing together.

But not everything is smooth sailing in the digital classroom. Myles acknowledged the challenges that come with a public platform.

"Some people come with hate," he admitted. "But I don't pay the negativity any mind, I just pull through." Despite the occasional harsh comment or suggestion to "come off and guh look work", Myles remains motivated by his viewers.

He told THE STAR, "Money hasn't really become a big factor yet. I started gaining traction because of the impact, and that keeps me motivated to keep on doing it."

For educators, the rise of figures like Myles presents a double-edged sword. Sherdene Dacosta Walker, an accounts and information technology teacher at St Catherine High School, said there is concern in ensuring that the information being provided is accurate.

"Unlike certified educators, influencers on social media share short content that is easier for students to digest but there's a risk that it may not have the pedagogical depth a traditional classroom provides," she said.

However, she also acknowledged that social media is shifting the way people access education, and it cannot be ignored.

"From a governance perspective, it's not like we can say that he cannot do it or should not do it. It all boils down to sharing knowledge." She also emphasised that while social media can engage students, it requires viewers to critically evaluate the content with guidance from established academic resources.