[Kim Taehyun's Teen Education] "Popular Teachers Do This Differently!"

[By Kim Taehyun, Columnist, Korea Lecturer News] Popular teachers make students laugh and move them emotionally. This is the result of relationship skills. Popularity gained through appearance or one-time events does not last long.

I teach under the nickname “Giraffe Teacher,” given to me by students. About a year after conducting a camp at a school in Gangwon Province, I revisited the school and happened to overhear students on the stairs saying, “Hey, Giraffe Teacher is coming today!” Usually, students easily forget the names of guest lecturers who visit only once. However, “Giraffe Teacher” remained in their memories.

Recently, a student I taught in their first year of high school contacted me after turning twenty. This experience reinforced my belief: popularity is the energy that drives education, and it can be intentionally designed.

This claim is also supported by research. According to a study by Kim Nam-hee and Kim Jong-baek (2011), analyzing 664 middle school students, teacher–student attachment fulfilled students’ basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness). This, in turn, boosted class participation, which led to academic achievement. Emotional bonding—not mere kindness—was the key variable, and this pathway applied equally to both boys and girls.

The takeaway is simple: when hearts connect, participation follows, and participation leads to achievement. In other words, popularity is not the goal but a tool for teaching and growth. This article introduces four ways to build that popularity.

Four Ways to Become a Popular Teacher

1. Observation — “Smart, Clean, and Thoughtful Initiative”

Popular teachers observe first. They don’t rush to get close or bombard students with questions. Such approaches can feel burdensome. Even students who initially respond may eventually avoid eye contact or try to escape conversations.

Building relationships is not about forcing interactions but communicating from an appropriate distance. Popular teachers observe students, find conversation topics, and speak briefly—without asking unnecessary questions. Students instinctively sense this subtle difference: whether a teacher is approachable or someone to avoid.

The phrase “smart, clean, and thoughtful initiative” summarizes essential classroom relationship skills:

“Smart initiative” means understanding context first

“Well” refers to accuracy in content and timing

“Clean” means clarity in delivery

“Thoughtful” refers to emotional empathy and reading the atmosphere

In today’s fast-paced, communication-heavy society, people talk a lot but rarely understand others deeply. That’s why people crave those who can provide exactly what is needed—even without being told.

However, this concept should not be mistaken for forcing sensitivity or reading between the lines under pressure. True application in education is the opposite: it is consideration rooted in care, not authority.

2. Memory — “Wow, How Did You Know My Name?”

Memory is proof of attention. The most powerful element is remembering names.

Because I meet many students in a short time, it is nearly impossible to remember all names long-term. That’s why speed matters. I aim to learn all students’ names before the first class ends. While other instructors may learn names by the end of the day, I try to memorize them during breaks.

Even if remembering all names perfectly isn’t possible, the effort itself opens students’ hearts. When a teacher calls a student by name before building familiarity, the student reacts with surprise: “How do you know my name?” At that moment, the barrier breaks.

Beyond names, remembering students’ stories and experiences—and referring to them later—creates even deeper emotional connections. These small details determine popularity.

3. Sensitivity — “Aww, What Is This? ♥”

I once visited a Japanese restaurant with a friend. We ordered tonkatsu and soba to share. While tonkatsu was easy to share, the soba turned out to be zaru soba, which is difficult to split unless you order extra dipping sauce.

As we were about to order more sauce, the owner noticed and kindly provided extra sauce for free. Our reaction? We applauded, ordered more food, and said, “We’ll come here all the time.” This small act of thoughtfulness created loyal customers.

The classroom works the same way. Small acts of sensitivity capture students’ hearts.

Sensitivity is the ability to express care in detailed ways within the educational environment. Though it may seem trivial, it transforms the classroom atmosphere.

For example, I add stories to scoring:

“Students who just clapped get 4 points.”

“Why 4?” I ask.

Students guess:

“Because today is the 4th?”

“Because 4 sounds like ‘death’?”

Then I smile and say: “Because I love you.”

Their reactions vary—some love it, some cringe, some are shocked—but soon they start responding together:

“Why 4?” “Because you love us!”

Then I give 2 points:

“Why 2?”

They guess again.

The answer: “Because you’re beautiful.”

Even students unfamiliar with emotional expression quickly adapt when it’s delivered in a fun way.

In my AI literacy camps, when students lack mobile data, I share my hotspot. But I add a twist: I name my hotspot “I prepared this for you ♥” and set the password as the student’s name twice. These playful details create memorable moments.

4. Memory Points — “I Miss You, Teacher…”

At some point in life, everyone remembers one or two teachers from their school days. Often, small keepsakes—photos, letters, time capsules—help bring back those memories.

If you’ve already become a popular teacher, leaving such items can be meaningful. However, many are easily forgotten.

So I choose items students use daily—like “Jibbitz” charms for Crocs or indoor shoes.

At the end of class, I give each student a giraffe-shaped Jibbitz, symbolizing “Giraffe Teacher.”

Why a giraffe?

When students feel down, they tend to look down. What do they see first? Their shoes. If they see the giraffe charm there, they might remember me.

On difficult days, they might think:

“I’m not alone. I had Giraffe Teacher.”

This small symbol can provide emotional support.

Practicality matters too. Students frequently wear indoor shoes, and Jibbitz are affordable and easy to use. Even this reflects consideration for students’ circumstances.

Conclusion

Popularity is not an innate talent—it is the result of intentional design. The methods are observation, memory, sensitivity, and memory points.

At its core, it is about translating love into actionable skills. When students consistently feel cared for, they say:

“Teacher, I want to see you again.”

And someday, you’ll hear:

“Hey, Giraffe Teacher is coming today!”

At that moment, you’ll know—the essence of education has truly worked.

Columnist Profile

Kim Taehyun is a youth education expert specializing in career development, self-directed learning, and leadership. Known as “Giraffe Teacher,” he connects with students through relatable communication and warm messages.

Since middle school, he has actively explored his career path, gaining diverse media experience as a radio DJ, event MC, YouTube creator, and live commerce host.

Currently, he lectures across elementary, middle, high school, and university settings while developing future-oriented educational content that integrates AI and emerging technologies.

Through his column, Kim Taehyun’s Teen Education, he addresses real educational challenges such as academic anxiety, career uncertainty, and comparison stress, offering practical insights for teachers, parents, and education professionals.

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