I am a teacher in training, and I spent countless hours in the classroom.

I am constantly getting these little thoughts in my head that I don't normally say aloud. Every day is something new, but most days there are a few key phrases that I think throughout the day.

My goal for this school year (and hopefully all school years in the future) is to let go of the small stuff and focus on instilling positivity and growth into the lives of my young learners. A few of my daily thoughts are verbalized, but a few of them are mumbled under my breath as I sit in my classroom during planning periods.

The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher. Luke 6:40

1. Please stop picking and eating your boogers.

I work in second grade, and the amount of times I have told students to go wash their hands is absurd. Parents, please teach your kids to stop doing this before I go insane.

2. "Kiss your brain!"

This is my way of saying "smarty pants!" I learned this from another teacher that I worked with and it works amazingly well. I use this when my students think of something that I did not.

3. My lesson plan doesn't cover your question...

On the other hand, sometimes the students will ask questions that I do not know the answer to. Sometimes I think this puts a damper in my lesson, but instead, I just use it as a learning moment for me and my students. Sometimes it can be a little embarrassing though...

4. Please follow the directions so I don't have to call your parents.

Calling parents is going to be the death of me. I do not like confrontation, but I do not like constant correction either. There has got to be a way to get chatty Cathy in the back to quit talking because her mom scares me.

5. Can you please stop asking questions after I already explained the directions?

Please just listen to my dang directions. I don't say them for my own health, I say them so my students know what to do!!!!! I cannot describe how frustrated I get when 3 kids ask the same question after I have already gone over it.

6. When do you all have recess/ lunch/ resource? I need a break.

Sometimes, the students just need to get out of the class for a little while so I can hear myself think. Right now, I am sharing a classroom, so I use that time to reflect with my cooperating teacher. Sometimes I just have to take a little walk and remember all of the positive things about being a teacher before they come back.

7. Why isn't there a Starbucks in the school?

This thought occurs more often than I'd like to admit. I am in constant need of a coffee pick-me-up. I don't even have a Starbucks near my school, which means on my way to and from school isn't a Starbucks option either. My coffee pot coffee will have to suffice until someone makes a miraculous decision to add Starbucks to schools.

8. I guess I should I figure out what I'm teaching today.

Somedays I have it all ready. Other days I'm rolling into school a few minutes before the kids arrive and I don't have a clue what I am doing with them. I try to be proactive, but life gets in the way sometimes. That brings me to my next thought...

9. I hope the principal doesn't observe me today.

On those days that I am a little behind on planning, the principal is sure to come observe. This is when I want to hide in a hole and cry because I don't have lesson plans for them to look at, and my objectives that are posted are from 3 weeks ago. Oops.

10. How do these kids know about that?

The things that these kids know about is baffling! I overhear conversations about things that I don't even understand at 21 years old. How are these kids learning about these horrific things?!

11. Tomorrow I will do better.

After a long day of impromptu planning, bad observations, coffee-deprivation, and potty mouths, I can only walk away hoping for a better day tomorrow. I pray on my way home, and I thank Him for my booger filled blessings.