I try to learn to something new and find inspiration every day. I recently began working as a substitute teacher and to my surprise, these little humans are full of my favorite things; sass, spontaneity and brutal honesty. They have no idea how much they have impacted my life in the short span of two weeks.

My first day as a substitute teacher, I found myself sitting in the classroom a full 45 min early and impatiently, yet nervously waiting for 21 third graders to walk into the room and fill their desks. As the final bell rang, a surge of anxiety kicked in. I had read the lesson plan over and over, and strategized the most efficient way to teach elapsed time, and I felt fine about each lesson, but I still questioned whether or not I was truly suitable for this position.

They took their seats as I introduced myself, and wrote my name on their marker board in the front of the room. Like clockwork, they jumped right into their morning routine and told me everything I was doing wrong…already. A mere two minutes later, I was informed I have the worst handwriting the class as a whole has ever seen, but they liked my outfit. We moved on and started our math lesson and at the end, they said they understood elapsed time. Just like that, I felt ecstatic.

During recess, they remained in the classroom because of the rainy weather. Everyone paired off and played games while one child was singled out. He asked if I would play Apples to Apples with him. This game is really meant for more than two people, but I was going to make it work so he wasn’t alone at recess. By the end of the half hour, the entire class was playing the game with us and seeing his face light up as he was surrounded by the whole class was enough for me know I was in the right place. At the end of the day, the class asked when I was going to be their substitute again. I didn’t know the answer, but they all said they wanted it to be soon. It may have been a very long day, but they truly made me feel important and that I semi-knew what I was doing.

Since my first day, I have taught several classrooms. Each day, I am introduced to a brand new faces at different ages, and finding myself answering brand new questions. I have eased their worries for Ebola, reminded them over and over I do not have a husband and have shown them how important it is to be kind to everyone. Each day, these little souls have shown me the importance of confidence in myself to guide them, and to have confidence in them to trust they know what they are doing. They have also taught me it is vital to continually expose myself to new situations and experiences. Their random outbursts stating they need to poop in front of the entire class is one of my favorite parts of the day, but the best part of the day is when the bell rings and they each hug me and ask when I am coming back.

I am the one that is meant to be teaching them, yet I learn more from these students every single day.

Steal my look: Express Dress Pant: Express, LC by Lauren Conrad Floral Blazer: Kohl’s