How One Teacher's TikTok Goes Viral For Teaching Kids Financial Skills And Combating Poverty

In a world where financial literacy is often overlooked in schools, one North Carolina teacher has found a creative way to teach her students essential money management skills while capturing the attention of millions on TikTok. Shelby Lattimore, a third-grade math teacher in Charlotte, has gone viral for her innovative approach to teaching kids about finances – one TikTok at a time.

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Lattimore, like many educators, feels overwhelmed and underpaid. "I don't know anyone in education with no second job," she told NBC News. Instead of working on weekends as a barista or in retail, she supplements her income through viral TikToks. Lattimore's TikTok videos, which blend humor with valuable lessons about financial responsibility, have become a source of supplemental income. She earned six figures this past year – more than double her teacher salary.

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But Lattimore's videos are more than just a side hustle. Her viral content showcases how she teaches third graders about real-world financial concepts like rent, budgeting, and inflation. In one popular video, she tells her students, “I am going to take your money,” as they react with playful protests. She explains how she charges her students a mock rent of $7 per month for their desks and chairs, a system that teaches them about the financial realities adults face. "They have jobs and, of course, I pay them – not real money," Lattimore said. "They have to pay me rent once a month, just like I have to pay bills."

This fun yet practical exercise is more than a math lesson. For many of her students, it introduces crucial life skills they might not learn at home. Charlotte is a city known for generational poverty, and Lattimore's students, many of whom are Black and Hispanic, often witness their families struggling to make ends meet. By teaching them to think long-term about money, Lattimore hopes to break this cycle.

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There's data to support her mission. Studies have shown that Black and Hispanic individuals tend to have lower levels of financial literacy compared to their white counterparts, a gap that Lattimore is determined to close. One of her former students, Marley, now a fourth-grader, appreciates the valuable lessons she learned in Lattimore's class. "It gives you a life lesson on how money is," Marley said, reflecting on her experience.

Beyond the TikTok fame and viral videos, Lattimore's impact is deeply personal for her students. As a Black educator, she understands the importance of representation. "It's very important for my students to see someone who looks like them," she said. Marley echoed this sentiment, saying her favorite thing about Ms. Lattimore is that "she looks like me."

Lattimore's TikTok account has amassed over 1.3 million followers and more than 43 million likes, but the viral fame hasn't changed her passion for teaching. While the extra income helps, her real reward is seeing the difference she makes in her students' lives. When asked what keeps her waking up excited about her job each day, Lattimore said tearfully in an interview with NBC News, "It’s them. The corny little hugs that are germ-filled, but they just can’t let go. I love my job. "

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Her approach highlights the critical need for financial education at a young age, especially in underserved communities. It proves that teachers like Lattimore can make a lasting difference in the classroom and beyond.

As Lattimore's story shows, teaching kids about financial responsibility can be a life-changing lesson, helping to combat poverty and build a brighter future. Consulting with a financial advisor can provide valuable insights and guidance for anyone interested in improving their own financial literacy or that of their children.

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