![Paired images of teachers doing things they'll never admit](https://www.weareteachers.com/wp-content/uploads/30-Things-All-Teachers-Do-But-Will-Never-Admit-1.png)
Society expects a lot from those in charge of educating children. That often means we need to be on our best behavior … or at least look like we are. Alas, not everyone is perfect. We all have several teacher secrets we keep hidden from those outside the world of education. But we can definitely share them with you all! #SorryNotSorry. How many of these secret teacher acts are you guilty of?
1. We’ve all considered throwing that stack of ungraded homework away.
Maybe weâve done it. Hard to say.
2. We’ve all taken our sweet, sweet time replying to a less-than-friendly email.
âI need a response by the end of the dayâ is a surefire way to make sure I schedule “send” for 11:52 p.m.
3. We’ve all copied things we weren’t supposed to copy.
OK, but in my defense, what do I do when my school wonât buy class copies? Write it out with a quill by candlelight?
4. We’ve all had to wear weird stuff from our closet when weâre behind on laundry.
Hello, bridesmaid dress from three years ago. Bet you think you werenât going to be paired with a jean jacket and tennis shoes today.
5. We’ve all had that split second of hope that our on-campus injury is slightly more serious than it really is.
Will tetanus from a staple-remover scrape get me workers’ comp?
6. We’ve all been momentarily terrified that we sent an email to the wrong person.
“Aaannd send. Wait, did I ‘reply allâ? No, no, no, no. Please tell me I didn’t ‘reply allâ! Oh, OK, whew. That would have been bad.”
7. We’ve all checked for inclement weather while hope soars in our hearts.
“All right, I know I checked 10 minutes ago, but weather changes, right? I should just check again. Maybe another weather app would have a more up-to-date prediction?!â
8. We’ve all made grievous spelling errors when writing on the whiteboard.
âOK, OK, calm down. I meant to write âskit.â Your skit is due tomorrow.â
9. We’ve all had a coworker or student walk in while we were in the middle of absolutely slamming lunch or a snack before the next class.
*holds up pointer finger indicating âHold onâ while chewing for 20 seconds* âHey. Whatâs up?â
10. We’ve all tried to draw something on the board only to have it end up looking somewhat questionable.
“It’s a thermometer. What? Why are you all laughing?”
11. We’ve all played some version of a game with our students that’s only true purpose is to keep them quiet.
“Whatever you call itâSleeping Lions, Graveyard, Secret Spies, or Whoâs the Best Carrot?âthe only real rule is, if you talk, you’re out. And if you get out, you have to sit silently until the end of the game. I don’t make the rules.”
12. We’ve all spilled something on papers we’re grading.
With a little help from a black pen, your coffee stain can become a cute little kitty cat in no time.
13. We’ve all grabbed a (clean!) pencil to use as a stir stick.
Havenât we?!
14. We’ve all failed to be the “grown-up” in an argument with a student.
“Talking while Iâm talking is so not a vibe.â
15. We’ve all sent that student out on errands just to get a break.
“Can you take this to Mr. Faherty? Heâs in the M hall on the other side of campus. I donât know what room number. Youâve never heard of him? Donât be silly.â
16. We’ve all called in sick … without really being sick.
“I don’t have a fever, but my mind is broken. Does that count?” (Yes, yes it does.)
17. We’ve all shown a movie or instituted a surprise silent reading day because we needed a break.
“OK, today Iâve decided out of the goodness of my heart to give you class time to catch up on your reading for The Odyssey. No, I most definitely did not see Taylor Swift last night. This is glitter from … home.â
18. We’ve all taken class outside just because the weather is beautiful.
“Just … work on your essay in your head.â
19. We’ve all realized something really embarrassing way too late.
“My skirt is tucked into my tights? But I haven’t been to the bathroom in hours. …”
20. We’ve all been happy when certain students were absent.
“Oh, Michael has strep and is going to be out for the rest of the week? Hallelujah. Oh, whatâs that? No, I said âcall Tallulah.â Sheâs a, uh, strep doctor.â
21. We’ve all had favorite students.
We’ll never tell.
22. We’ve all feigned genuine interest while receiving questionable admin feedback.
“I will absolutely think about how I can implement that idea. Thank you so much!”
23. We’ve all rolled our eyes when asked to do icebreakers at staff meetings.
What would I get on a vanity nameplate? Is “IHATEPD” too many letters?
24. We’ve all wanted to lovingly tell that one colleague to tone down the drama.
“Mm-hmm. Yes, our AP forgetting to approve your work order for your projector bulb is definitely a personal attack. Youâre rightâIâm sure this goes all the way to the top.â
25. We’ve all “borrowed” (or at least thought about borrowing) that drink or snack from the faculty fridge.
That Diet Coke is calling my name. Literally. (OK, figuratively.)
26. We’ve all regretted something we’ve said to our students.
“Did I seriously just tell a group of fifth graders lined up for recess to hold onto their balls until they were outside?!”
27. We’ve all wondered what other jobs we could do with a teaching degree.
“I could be a truck driver. Just me. Driving alone. No one calling my name a million times a day. Listening to whatever music I want. Or not. I could just sit in complete silence.”
28. We’ve all behaved just as badly during a faculty meeting as our students do in class.
In my defense, I have a disease that forces me to laugh if a situation expressly forbids it.
29. We’ve all found ourselves saying things we could have never predicted in our teacher prep courses.
“I love seeing your beautiful face today, but you have to put a shirt on. Yes, you have to have a shirt on in class. Thatâs right. Even though itâs hot. No, itâs not discrimination.â
30. We’ll never tell our friends, but weâve all been secretly glad we donât have a corporate desk job.
Yes, we have a long way to go before teachers are given a living wage, respect, and what they need to do their jobs.
However …
A sense of purpose
+ not having to pretend like our work is meaningful
+ staying on top of all The Youth trends
+ the hilarious things our students say
+ having a gigantic âofficeâ (even if most of the time itâs packed with tiny people)
+ SUMMER =
A pretty dang good gig if you ask us.