Picture entering an English class and finding yourself in a realm where the classroom becomes a canvas filled with whiteboard masterpieces. Now, picture this classroom artistry reaching a broader audience on TikTok.

With almost 300 followers and 3,000 likes, English II teacher, Grayson Moore’s (@mr.moorewhiteboard) artistic prowess has taken center stage on the popular social media platform. 

Since the authenticity of his hand-drawn art was questioned, Moore used TikTok to film a behind-the-scenes process.

“I took up the challenge because there were doubts about my drawings; some believed I was tracing instead of creating them by hand,” Moore said “I then began making time-lapse videos, showing the entire process. This inspired me to share these videos on TikTok, and transform them from private videos on my phone to engaging content for a bigger audience.”

It was through this journey that students like sophomore Reyna Gannamani stumbled upon Moore’s TikTok. 

“I found out about Mr. Moore’s TikTok because it popped up on my For You Page,” Gannamani said. 

Moore follows a meticulous creative process with his drawings and recordings on TikTok. 

“First, I decide on what I want to draw,” Moore said. “Once I have a subject in mind, I often search for references, like when I did Freddy Krueger. I look for coloring pages that provide a black-and-white outline, usually in a cartoon style that’s more manageable for me to recreate. From there, I draw and record it to post on TikTok.”

Sophomore Mahi Kosuri believes that Moore’s TikTok positively influences students and his account may inspire others to engage in fun activities they enjoy. 

“I think that his account has a positive impact on students, as it displays creativity and just doing something you enjoy in not necessarily a serious manner,” Kosuri said. “I think this will further encourage students or viewers to start something they enjoy doing.”

TikTok provides Moore with a valuable tool to build an appropriate student-teacher relationship outside of the classroom. 

“I think starting a teacher account on TikTok adds a unique layer of connection,” Moore said. “With restrictions on students and teachers being friends on platforms like Facebook or Instagram, TikTok offers a more appropriate platform. By creating this account, students can follow and engage with my content, fostering a student-teacher relationship that aligns with proper boundaries.”

In the classroom, sophomore Rupal Shirpurkar describes Moore as a dedicated teacher who strives to build a sense of community among students.

“So far, I have enjoyed Mr. Moore’s class,” Shirpurkar said. “I feel like he is a great teacher who tries hard to connect with every student and provide a safe space for them in the classroom. I am happy that he gets to share what he loves with an even bigger audience and I’m glad others can appreciate his art.” 

For now, Moore has no goals in mind regarding his TikTok page other than finding enjoyment along the way. 

“In the meantime, I will continue to do what I have been doing,” Moore said. “While I haven’t set any specific goals yet, I’m enjoying the journey and allowing it to unfold naturally.”

This story was originally published on Wingspan on December 6, 2023.