A few rounds of student teaching has taught me more than I ever thought I would need to know about the minds of middle and high school students. They are stubborn, rude, insecure, hilarious, unbelievable, and absolutely wonderful. There is no other age group I would want to teach and the more time I spend with them, the more I am so happy with my choice to be a grade seven through 12 English teacher.

In honor of all my fellow seventh through 12th grade educators, here is a list of things that will definitely make you think of your students.

1. "It's in my locker."

Some students say this once a month, some once a week, but others say it every day. No matter how many times you tell them they need to bring whatever the item is to class, there are still the students who always manage to forget.

2. Can I go to the nurse?

Teacher: Why? Student: Because my (insert random body part here) hurts.

OR

Teacher: Why? Student: Because I need a tissue. Teacher: I have tissues right here on my desk. Student: *blank stare, grabs tissue and sulks back to seat*

3. Ohhhh, that was due today???

Um, yes, like it says on the board, on the assignment sheet itself, and on the calendar, that was due today. Sometimes it's like you're talking to yourself.

4. That one student who refuses to stay in his/her seat for more than five minutes simply because they do not want to.

*Sharpens pencil for 10 minutes. *Gets tissue. *Throws away tissue. *Gets hand sanitizer. *Gets book. *Gets another book even though they are not reading the first one. *Runs to open the door when someone knocks.*

When you call them out on it, they look at you like you are out of your mind.

5. Two Words...School Dances

The excitement! The anticipation! The dates! The thought that because they have a 3-hour dance on Saturday night means they do not have to do any of their homework for Monday.

6. When you tell a student to put their phone away and they look at you in utter shock because they cannot believe you caught them.

In between your legs, really? Under the desk, really? Stuffed inside your silent reading book, really? But seriously, we know all of their hiding tricks by now. They're going to have to get more creative.

7. The attitude and the drama

It's never-ending. You wind up asking yourself, "Was that how I acted at this age??"

Also, everything is a crisis (especially to middle schoolers).

8. Assigning groups for a project and having all of your students hate you.

You become the subject of their rants for the rest of the day.

9. The romances

10. "How come (other student here) didn't get in trouble when they (fill in the blank)? Why are you always picking on me?"

It does not matter how hard you try to make it clear that you do not have any students you like more than others, there are always those few who are just convinced you hate them.

11. That amazing feeling you get when a student tells you that you are their favorite teacher.

And that makes everything all worth it.