19 high school teachers share the thing they can't tell students but wish they knew.

Being a high school teacher is certainly not for the weak...

Between wrangling throngs of hormonal, angst-ridden teens who would rather be doing anything in the entire world than sit still and learn about algebra and fielding complaints from nosy helicopter parents, teachers are famously overworked and underpaid.

So, when a Reddit user asked, 'High School teachers, what is the one thing that you want your students to know that you’d never tell them in person?' people who educate the future generation were ready to share.

1.

Yes, we have a new seating chart... and yes, I sat you next to her because I can tell you have a crush on her. I noticed you try harder on your work when she is around, and to be honest... you two would make a cute couple - [deleted]

2.

I am no longer a teacher, but I remember several days that I felt lazy and wanted to give the class the day off. I never did because I knew the teacher's pet would rat me out. Sometimes even the teachers don't like the teacher's pet. - Birbman3

3.

You can be unsuccessful at school but successful in life. I pretend that it is important for you to do well in my subject, but in reality you'll most probably find your niche in life and be reasonably content or hopefully extremely happy. You might hate Maths, English, Science, but turn out to be the most amazing parent, artist, carpenter or even a mathematician, playwright or researcher.

You might get the lowest scores in class and end up being the most successful of your peers. I feign annoyance, anger, disappointment. I reluctantly phone your parents, give you detentions, or write up critical reports. I have to, it's my job. If you do well in my subject then that's great, but if you don't then just relax. We can't all be good at everything. - this_is_life_now

4.

If you’re nice to me and aren’t disruptive I’ll always work the numbers in your favor when it comes time to post grades. - laurenschmitty

5.

If I know your name by the 3rd day of a new school year, that means you're probably an as*hole. - milqi

6.

You are right. The administration is completely out of touch when it comes to technology. I also work better while listening to music on my phone. - giltwist

7.

Please stop Juuling in the classrooms that’s what the bathrooms are for - deedozcheetoz

8.

You're unique, you're not special. Set your goals high but understand that if you change your goals to needs, you will have a lifetime of disappointment. - aldesuda

9.

That it's just as weird for me as it is for you when we bump into each other in public. - BumblingBlunderbuss

10.

That my students are the reason why I am second-guessing having my own kids. - bomptonbigarettes

11.

When you think you are being genius by getting me to talk about random things at the beginning of class instead of 'teaching.' I'm really allowing it to happen b/c I don't have enough planned to cover a full class. - mikeyzjames

12.

That we have much better hearing than you assume. We just choose our battles as it pertains to inappropriate comments. And sometimes I pretend not to see that thing you did just because I too found it humorous, and speaking to you about it would only result in me cracking up. - moonwalkersb

13.

If your parents email a teacher and argue with them, the whole staff knows. (At least at my school) - callmedoglady

14.

I’d let you get away with so much more if you were actually a decent person who treated others with kindness and respect. As*holes rarely get the benefit of doubt or indifference. - ExistentialJesus

15.

Yes, I put you in a group with the kid you have a crush on intentionally. I'm stuck here with you 180 days a year, I want to see some drama. - grumpybatman

16.

The odds of you using any specific piece of knowledge you learn in high school is slim. The odds of you using some piece of knowledge from high school is near absolute and you have no idea what it's going to be or when it will happen, so you may as well try at all of it. The biggest thing you're going to learn is how to learn. - hey_mr_hess

17.

In my 11 year career, the only names that I truly remember are the insanely talented kids and the students who were completely inept. - SCVanguard

18.

A few off the top of my head: Just because I like you as a person doesn’t mean that I won’t fail you. Being smart isn’t a justification for being lazy and I can’t pass someone that never hands in work.

I moved you away from your friends because they were taking you down with them. You have a real future in sports but you need to pass my class to play them. Your friends were making you fail and, if you don’t get to play volleyball, I don’t know what kind of future you have in front of you.

I wish that the positivity that you get in my class could follow you home. I’ve met your parents and they are a nightmare. I do my best to encourage you here but I know that, some days, that just might not be enough.

I have never and will never find a student intimidating. That’s why I laughed at you when you asked me if I “knew who your father was”. Yeah, he’s the manager of a car dealership; that means nothing to nobody.

I had a kid throw a desk at me and, while it scared me in the moment, it didn’t make me fear him. One day, you will meet someone who has real power and I just wish that I could be there to see it. - TheClassroomComedian

19.

Your parents are literally the worst part of my job. - catniss32