10 minutes with Mr P – Meet the teacher behind the million-view viral videos
Teach Primary editor Elaine Bennett chats with the internet's favourite teacher…
If you’ve been anywhere near social media as a primary teacher recently, the face of Lee Parkinson – more commonly known as Mr P – will be very familiar to you.
The teacher, Facebook phenomenon and father of triplets has been making and sharing video content for the last five years, musing on the universal trials and tribulations of teacher life, as well as offering hints and tips for using technology in the classroom.
It all started, explains Lee, when the school he’s worked at for 10 years got a set of iPads.
“I’d never really written anything for pleasure in my life, to be honest. As soon as I saw the immediate impact the iPads were having on the children’s learning, I started sharing ideas through my blog. Teachers began using and engaging with my ideas almost immediately and started sending me examples of work from their pupils. That was where I found my purpose for writing and I haven’t stopped since.”
Nowadays, Lee works part time at Davyhulme Primary in Manchester and also runs a training and consultancy business, alongside maintaining his social media profiles.
“I’m here, there and everywhere,” he laughs, “but I’ve got the best of both worlds. I absolutely love leading training and seeing my ideas being used by so many amazing teachers around the world, but also love going to my own school and working alongside the brilliant pupils and wonderful staff. It’s hectic but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Having a number of strings to his bow has not caused a problem with the SLT at his school, Lee explains.
“I know that some headteachers would have said, ‘You either stay or you go’, but my headteacher is great at recognising potential in people and supporting them in their journey. In my school I’m just treated as a normal teacher. The staff don’t see me as this sort of…”
At this point, Lee pauses. “Celebrity?” I proffer. “I don’t like that word,” he says. “That puts me on a pedestal that I don’t think I deserve. When I go into school it’s just same old, which I absolutely love. It keeps me grounded.”
Remaining grounded is surely no mean feat when your videos about teacher life regularly get watched by over a million people.
“It always amazes me just how universal life as a teacher is,” says Lee.
“I think that’s what makes my videos so popular. As teachers, we’re liable to forget just what an amazing job we do. The videos are very tongue in cheek, but in some ways they have a serious message – we do an amazing and valuable job, even though others might not think it.
“What I love more than anything is receiving a message from a teacher who says they’ve had a rubbish day at school and have a ridiculous workload but have been able to watch my video and have a giggle for a couple of minutes. That’s what keeps me motivated. The videos bring everyone together as a community. We all have the same problems but we can have a laugh about it. If we didn’t, we’d cry!”
So what’s day-to-day life like when you’re balancing teaching, family life and regularly going viral?
“I’ve have to turn my notifications off,” admits Lee.
“It would end up taking over my life if not. When I’m training teachers, I talk a lot about the key to technology being finding the right balance. If I’m too engrossed in it, my wife does tell me off. Sometimes I have to take a step back because it can overtake you.”
Although he may not like the term ‘celebrity’, Lee has had his fair share of encounters with teacher fans.
“I got recognised on holiday in Majorca,” he laughs, “and when I was at a wedding last summer, a couple of the bride’s friends, who were teachers, were asking for pictures and selfies. My mates couldn’t get their heads around it. I think a lot of people think I’m some sort of incredible teacher but I’m not. I’m alright, I do some good stuff, but there are always some lessons that don’t go to plan. It’s just about sharing ideas and the humorous side of life as a teacher.”
Top 3 videos
Not watched Mr P before? Check out our recommendations…
1. Be Like Mrs May
2. Now That’s What I Call Being a Teacher
3. How Teachers Walk Down the School Corridor
Find out more about Mr P at mrparkinsonict.blogspot.co.uk and follow him on Twitter at @ict_mrp and on Facebook at @ictwithmrp.
