In a world where classroom celebrations are a cherished tradition, one Illinois kindergarten teacher has sparked a heated debate online with her “unpopular opinion.” Ann Brackemyer, a teacher took to TikTok to share her thoughts on a common classroom practice—bringing cupcakes to school for children’s birthdays. Little did she know, her simple suggestion would ignite a social media firestorm.
“I love to celebrate birthdays in my classroom,” Brackemyer began in her viral video, which has now racked up over 2.4 million views. “I know this is going to be an unpopular opinion, but please don’t bring cupcakes.” Her plea was straightforward: while cupcakes are a popular choice, they are also messy and often go uneaten by the little ones. “The frosting gets all over, and the kids aren’t sure what to do. It’s just too much for them and it’s too messy,” she explained.
Instead of cupcakes, Brackemyer offered alternative sweet treats that she believed would be more manageable and enjoyable for everyone involved. Among her top picks were Lofthouse-style frosted cookies with sprinkles, Casey’s General Store donuts, ice cream cups with sprinkles (which could be stored in the teacher’s freezer), Little Debbie snacks, and brownies with colorful candy-coated sprinkles. These options, she noted, were simple, easy to serve, and far less messy.
In other words, she doesn’t want what the kids would like because it may inconvenience her.
Despite her thoughtful suggestions, the response from the online community was mixed, to say the least. While some parents and fellow teachers applauded her efforts to make classroom celebrations smoother, others were less than thrilled with her advice. “I bring in whatever my child chooses! It’s their birthday, they get to pick,” declared one determined parent. Another chimed in, “Totally understand! But I don’t mind the mess or if they don’t eat them. As a teacher, I’m bringing cupcakes for my birthday, too.”
The backlash highlighted the deep connection many parents feel to the tradition of letting their child choose their birthday treat, regardless of the potential chaos it might cause in the classroom. “Ice cream is way messier than cupcakes, and I will bring my kids their cupcakes,” one parent insisted, challenging Brackemyer’s viewpoint.
Yet, there were those who stood by the teacher, agreeing that cupcakes, while fun, often create more hassle than happiness. “As a teacher, I agree cupcakes are so messy and the kids always pick off the frosting and most of the time leave them half-eaten because they’re too sweet … Cookies are the best choice,” one commenter noted. A school custodian even chimed in, expressing gratitude for the suggestion, “Thank you, ma’am, for this video. I’m the hardworking custodian that has to clean the classrooms after the kids have dropped most of the cupcakes all over the floor. It’s a pain to clean up afterward.”
Brackemyer, for her part, took the uproar in stride. “I appreciate all the responses and comments on the video,” she told Fox News Digital. “Everyone has an opinion, and that’s OK, we are all different. The world would be boring if we all agreed.” She also expressed enthusiasm for the creative ideas sparked by the conversation, including one parent’s suggestion of bringing French fries for a birthday treat—a new twist that she found intriguing.