At our school, we know him as a chemistry teacher, a cross country and track coach, and a mentor to many. But on TikTok, Mr. Lisle is known by thousands as an influencer who shares messages of radical kindness along with some helpful chemistry tips.
With more than 17,000 thousand followers, Mr. Lisle went viral in April with his TikTok “What I’ll Remember As Your Teacher.” In the video, he explains that he believes students are defined by their kindness toward others, not their grades.
He shared a story about a time when he allowed students to choose their own seats. It quickly became clear that one of the quieter students was going to be alone at a lab table. When another student realized what was happening, he moved to that table to join her rather than sitting with friends.
In another story from a school dance, Mr. Lisle recounted seeing a senior girl comforting a younger girl who was clearly uncomfortable in the hallway by herself. She assessed the situation, and without being asked, stepped in to help.
In May, his TikTok caught the attention of The Today Show that ran a story about him. To date, that one video has 7.3 million views, 23,000 shares, and 5,000 comments and counting.
“It was a pretty overwhelming and incredible experience,” Mr. Lisle shared. “I would put my phone down for a minute and come back to 99 new notifications. That stayed true for weeks!”
Mr. Lisle has taught at Marist School for 26 years. When asked how he chose teaching as a career, Mr. Lisle had this to say: “Teaching was supposed to be a temporary thing while I figured out what I wanted to do. Three months into my first year I realized I loved it, and I’ve been doing it ever since.”
Lisle also reflected on past influences that might have inspired the teacher inside him. “I’ve always admired teachers. My high school Latin teacher and British Literature teachers really inspired me, as did my organic chemistry professor in college,” he explained.
There is no doubt that Mr. Lisle has impacted countless lives during his time in our Science Department.
Junior and varsity cross country runner Caroline Rogers shared her thoughts about Lisle. “He’s always on top of everything and makes practice fun,” she said. “We love having him as a coach.”
If you need a dose of positivity, then follow Mr. Lisle @free.radicals0 on TikTok.
Thank you, Mr. Lisle, for inspiring us all!
