Community
If you’ve ever had a teacher as a friend, they may be tired on Fridays, but you know that their constant state of overstimulation works like the pressure it takes to produce a diamond. They are good in a crisis, always have snacks, and have the kind of patience that one can only get if they’ve experienced daily issues with chromebooks not working. They have a magical blend of humor, organized chaos, and emotional endurance that doesn’t end at 3 p.m.
Here are 20 reasons teachers make the BEST friends:
1. They’re ridiculously patient.
Teachers spend their days repeating instructions 12 times a lesson. So when you’re venting about that same coworker again, they’re not judging. They’re just glad no one is saying “6,7.”
2. They listen like it’s their superpower.
“1-2-3 eyes on me” is a mantra they live by, so when you’re talking, they’re going to be locked in. They’ll even lean in and nod because they know just how good it feels when someone gives them those nonverbals while they’re talking.
3. Their advice hits different.
Teachers are professional problem-solvers. They can help you work through friendship issues, organize your pantry, or even handle budget problems. They may not all be math teachers, but they are familiar with the challenge of making things awesome with a total spending limit of $2, both professionally and personally.
4. They celebrate your small wins.
Teachers celebrate small wins like it is their job, because it is. They are constantly cheering on their students for making small gains, because they matter. You finished a book? Let’s go to Pizza Hut and get a personal pan pizza (Book-It, anyone?). You organized that closet that has been on your list for three years? I can’t think of a better excuse to go to Target, grab a hot bev, and stroll the aisles slowly.
5. Organization is their love language.
…or they can fake it very well. They may not even be Type-A people, but they all have a system. Planning a trip? They have a note on their phone with their itinerary. Trying to move? Text them, they have a Google Doc of movers with prices. Color coordinating your closet? Say less.
6. They’re wildly creative.
Teachers can take a classroom with bad lighting, stained tile floors, and 30 desks and transform it into a rainforest escape, complete with a reading hut that kids fight to read in. (All done over the summer, powered by Diet Coke, and with their own money. )
7. They’re secretly hilarious.
Teachers are funny. They’ve been professionally trolled and gaslit by kids all day, everyday, and this kind of torture only has one way out: humor.
8. Their loyalty is unmatched.
Teachers don’t give up on people. Their brains will not let them. Once you’re in their circle, you’ve got a friend for life.
9. They’re empathy machines.
Hard stories and heartbreak seem to be part of the job description for teachers. They will spend their planning periods listening to their students share with them about their heartbreak. They will provide snacks and tissues. Had a break up? They’ll be there with food. Stressed about work? They’ll plan an outing for you to decompress and curate the playlist to fit your emotional needs of the moment.
10. They explain things better than Google.
You got a weird text message from your crush? Send that over to your English teacher friend so they can analyze it like a Shakespearean Sonnet. Don’t understand where all your money is going? Me neither, but math teachers seem to understand all things with numbers. They’ll even put it into a spreadsheet for you and tell you to stop ordering out so much.
11. They keep you cool.
You want to know why your kid keeps talking about W Rizz? They’ll tell you.
12. They believe in you.
Feeling scared to try something new for the very first time? Invite a teacher. They will scream for you at your open mic. They’ll listen to you pitch your new product and tell YOU why it is amazing and people should invest. Want a career change? They’ll help you draft your resume and remind you of all the ways you are perfect for that job.
13. They will 100% defend you.
They have to defend themselves in sandals everyday. Teenagers do not want to see anyone’s feet despite the weather or the super cute chunky sandal. They will defend you like you’re wearing flip flops in December.
14. They plan the best outings.
They budget, plan, and coordinate field trips with 125 kids and meals. They’ll send you a slideshow of the weekend vibe, all the tops, and most importantly where to eat.
15. They adapt to ANYTHING.
Twenty seven kids in a classroom absolutely losing their mind on the day that an evaluation is scheduled? They can use this as a teachable moment and introduce a brain break. They improvise like they’re Amy Poehler and Tina Fey.
16. They’re resourceful geniuses.
Teachers know how to operate out of a zero dollar budget and decorate for prom with plastic forks and printer paper. A kid forgot his Valentine’s Day Box? They just need 5 minutes, leftover construction paper and glitter to change that kid’s day.
17. They value real connection.
Their job revolves around conversations with kids, which they love, but that doesn’t quite fill their cup in the way that Facetime and a good ol’ yap session with their best friend does.
18. They’re fun in the most wholesome-chaotic way.
Teachers are used to being part-time entertainers. They have to compete with TikTok while they explain how to outline an argument. They may even explain thesis statements while doing the renegade.
And, no, they don’t care how old that trend is. They’ll do it if it means you’ll remember an inverted pyramid for your introduction.
19. They’re humble heroes.
Sometimes teachers will get emails and notes from parents and kids thanking them for their impact on students. However, often teachers’ contributions go unnoticed and unsung. Either way, you’ll hardly ever hear a teacher bragging about their accomplishments or impact (even if they should!).
20. They genuinely, deeply care.
Teachers sit through middle school productions on their days off to support their students. They drive hours away to let a kid know that they care when they see them on the sidelines. They’ll dance and dress in ridiculous outfits for pep rallies to show the student body their support.
If a teacher loves you, you’ll know it. They invest. They put the time in. And they let you know they are thinking of you.
