Charlotte Teacher Becomes Viral Sensation For Charging Students Rent

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools teacher in west Charlotte is getting national attention for her innovative curriculum.

Shelby Lattimore, a 3rd grade math and science teacher at Renaissance West STEAM Academy, went viral for charging her students rent.

“People were like, she’s taking $5 from them,” continues Lattimore, “they thought I was taking real money from them, and I didn’t know I had to be specific. Like, no, I wouldn’t take real money from them.”

Students in Lattimore’s classroom all have jobs. Like in the real world, some pay more than others.

“They get paid twice a week and then they have to pay rent once a month, just like me,” explained Lattimore.

The currency is called “Latimore Bucks”. With the money leftover after paying rent, her students can buy rewards. Ms Lattimore’s classroom economy has been a big hit with students and parents.

“Parents from my class are thanking me because a lot of them do live check to check, and they were never taught to think of money, long term,” said Lattimore.

Ms Lattimore is beloved by her students, she’s also liked by millions on social media. Her viral rent video has more than a million like son TikTok.

Lattimore has parlayed that one viral video into dozens more. Each one with hundreds of thousands of views. One vide in which Lattimore is explaining hygiene to her class has more than 19 million views.

The videos have no scripts, no special edits, just a young teacher with a passion for education and a love for her students.

“It’s organic. You know, they see the relationship that that me and my kids have built together and I think that’s why the the following is, is amazing,” explained Lattimore of her social media following.