25-02-2025
Social media influencer and teacher Jere Chang's best day in Atlanta
A perfect Atlanta day for Jere Chang, a self-described "lesbian Mr. Rogers" whose TikTok skits and Instagram clips have won over millions of parents and kids, involves a lot of Beltline.
Here's how the elementary school teacher, who lives in Kirkwood with her wife and kids, would spend the ideal 24 hours in Atlanta.
State of play: Chang, who was recently included among Atlanta Magazine's 21 reasons to love Atlanta, is writing a book about her career journey to help other educators thrive in the profession.
Wake up: The Sugar Hill, Georgia, native starts her day with a small, hot oat milk latte and raspberry cheese Danish from the PERC coffee shop near the Kirkwood home she shares with her wife and kids.
Morning: The family hops on the Atlanta Beltline Eastside Trail and pedals to the Thomas Taylor Memorial Skate Park in Old Fourth Ward for people watching and mural admiring.
Maybe beforehand they'll include a visit to Bessie Branham, Walker or McKoy parks.
Lunch: Krog Street Market is an easy option "because we can choose from pizza to sushi to whatever," Chang said.
If they're sticking closer to Kirkwood — almost everything Chang could need is within a short walk of her house, she says — they'll go somewhere with a patio like Elmyriachi or Universal Joint in Oakhurst.
Afternoon: After ice cream at Jeni's, the family posts up on the benches outside of the Patagonia store. "My wife and I sit there forever and just watch people walk by," she says.
Yes, but: Jere and her wife have been Atlanta Falcons season ticket holders since before they had kids. "If I really got a wild hair up my butt? We'll get on the train, head to the Benz, and watch the Falcons. Hopefully we win."
Dinner: Jere and the family will play it close to home, like Bell Street Burritos, Mix'D Up or Glide Pizza. She also has a soft spot for Urban Pie in Kirkwood.
Jere's wife is the foodie in the family, Chang says, and enjoys leading expeditions to Buford Highway to sample dishes at Lee's Bakery, Canton House and more.
Evening: In the evenings, Chang and family head to downtown Decatur to spend time in the Square and listen to street musicians.
"When I say music, it's like somebody with a guitar and amp, we'll just go out there on the grass and kind of hang out."
Night: Once the kids are put to bed, Jere spends an hour watching easy-to-follow TV shows — think crime dramas or medical series — to unwind (and reply to social media comments).
"I usually get about an hour a night that's just like mine. And so I'll just kind of watch something easy to watch… or just something really low key."
