Aylesworth Elementary teachers Caryn Rybecki and Kara Orosz are no strangers to TikTok. Orosz likes scrolling through the app, and Rybecki has even made a few popular videos. This summer, they will combine their TikTok skills and love of learning to create educational videos while traveling in Europe, thanks to a grant from the Lilly Endowment Teacher Creativity Fellowship Program.
Rybecki and Orosz received the Lilly Endowment grant for a project called “Educational TikToking Across Europe.” They plan to create videos that match parts of the 4th and 5th grade curriculum. Their trip will start in Ireland, then they will visit England, France, Italy, and maybe Spain. They expect to spend 14 to 20 days traveling. Orosz’s daughter, who goes to Portage High School, will join them and help film their TikToks.
The idea came when the teachers had trouble finding videos that fit their curriculum for subjects like social studies and literature. They remembered teaching during the pandemic when they made videos at local landmarks for students to guess the location. Now, they wanted to create their own videos that help students learn and connect with what they’re studying.
The answer? TikTok.
Students and families will be able to follow their European adventures on TikTok. The teachers will also save the videos on a website so other teachers can use them during the school year. Topics might include famous places in Rome for their mythology and “Percy Jackson” lessons, aqueducts in Spain for science, and London for the popular “Harry Potter” books students enjoy.
Rybecki, a 5th grade teacher, said they want to make the videos fun and interesting.
“Since it’s TikTok, there will be some silliness because kids like that,” Rybecki said. “They’ll learn, but they’ll also have fun watching us be silly and laugh with us, or even at us.”
The grant gives them some freedom to change their plans if needed. They hope families follow their trip and ask questions that the teachers can answer in more videos.
“It’s happening as we go, not just after we get back. Kids can comment and ask questions right away,” Rybecki said.
The Lilly Teacher Creativity grants help teachers learn more, but they also help them relax and follow their passions.
For Rybecki, this trip is a chance to share her love of learning, history, and culture with her students.
“I’ve lived and taught in two different countries. Being able to explore Europe on my own will be amazing,” Rybecki said. “I can focus on what really interests me and connect with it.”
Orosz said she’s always looking for new ways to improve as a teacher and hopes their project will inspire her students to find what they love.
“I’m always on a quest to find better ways to teach,” Orosz said. “I hope this helps me discover new, interesting, and inspiring ideas—because kids need to be inspired.”