Layers of Teaching, Influencing, and Finding Your Spark with Alyssa Diaz
In this episode of Her Layered Life, I had the joy of sitting down with the inspiring Alyssa Diaz. Alyssa is a teacher, influencer, creator, and collaborator who has found a way to use all the different layers of her life—career, family, faith, and community—to build something truly impactful.
Alyssa’s journey started in the classroom. She taught in both public and private schools before moving into a role that gave her space to reflect on her passion for teaching. Along the way, she began sharing her classroom experiences online under the name “She Teaches Fifth.” What started with small posts about her students and creative teaching ideas quickly grew into something much bigger.
One of the most pivotal moments in her story was a classroom makeover project that she documented online. What she thought was just a fun way to share turned into a viral moment—suddenly, thousands of people were connecting with her content, her creativity, and her authentic heart for teaching. From that point on, Alyssa leaned into her role as both teacher and influencer, learning to navigate the ups and downs of creating content in the public eye.
In our conversation, Alyssa opened up about:
The spark that inspired her to start posting about her classroom and why creativity drives her
How she experienced slow but steady growth in her online community and why she’s grateful for it
The challenges of handling online criticism and the mindset shifts that helped her push through
The way her faith, family, and marriage ground her in seasons of change
Why rest, slowing down, and creating from a place of joy are so important for sustainability
What I love most about Alyssa’s story is how real and relatable it is. She didn’t set out to become a content creator or influencer—it unfolded naturally as she followed her passions and shared them with others. Her journey is such a reminder that we don’t need to have everything perfectly figured out in order to step forward. Sometimes the smallest ideas or projects can lead to opportunities we never imagined.
This episode is full of encouragement, practical wisdom, and plenty of real talk about what it means to juggle multiple roles while staying true to yourself. Whether you’re a teacher, creator, or simply someone trying to balance the many layers of your own life, I know you’ll walk away feeling uplifted and inspired.