Forget everything you think you know about physics and chemistry teachers. Timothée Curado breaks the codes. Far from the old-fashioned image of the austere teacher in a white coat, this 30-year-old with a neat look, perfectly trimmed black beard and athletic appearance, has become known on social networks for his humorous videos. “I started during Covid to explain the impact of confinement on teachers. I only had 5,000 followers at the time. But in the summer of 2020, one of my videos was shared on Twitter. The morning I woke up, it had more than 3 million views. That’s when everything went crazy,” smiles Tim.
Originally from Nevers, this teacher like no other has been working since 2018 at the Blaise-Pascal high school in Clermont-Ferrand (Puy-de-Dôme), a very serious establishment that brings together some 220 teachers in middle schools, high schools and preparatory classes. “I’ve always wanted to do this job, as far back as I can remember. For me, these videos are just a different way of talking about my job. I even hope to create vocations,” he explains.
Otherwise, he can count on tens of thousands of likes and hundreds of comments for each publication. Today, Timothée Curado is followed by more than 2 million subscribers, including 1.7 million on TikTok.
At the Comédie des Volcans, then on tour
His sketches, which lightly describe the daily life of a high school teacher, recently reached the ears of Hervé Compan, director of the Théâtre du Marais in Paris. “He’s from Clermont and he’s just opened a new stage in Clermont-Ferrand. He contacted me to offer me the chance to do a show. I said yes straight away… It’s the logical next step,” enthuses the teacher, now part-time. “Between classes, writing sketches, managing networks and rehearsals, I admit that the schedule is busy. But I never thought I would experience these incredible opportunities one day.”
On September 28 and 29, the chemistry teacher will take to the stage at the Comédie des Volcans for a one-man show entitled “Présent!”, before embarking on a tour throughout France, which will end in Paris in the first half of 2025. Without ever straying too far from his classroom: “What I’m most passionate about is being in class, seeing the students’ progress. I would miss letting them go too much. Some have told me that they have already bought their ticket for the show. That’s probably what makes me the happiest.”
