Pssst, kids, here’s a secret: Teachers are humans.

Yep, those old people behind the desks, the ones who drink a lot of coffee and still don’t understand Snapchat, are real, flawed people with lives and feelings and opinions. They can’t always tell you what’s going on in their minds, but luckily, they can share it on Reddit.

In the Ask Reddit community, redditor Emily_Jacob asked, “Teachers of reddit, what shit goes on at schools that students don’t know about?”

Here’s what you might be surprised to learn:

Trades do happen.

On report cards, teachers can’t write things like “Your kid is annoying and has made my year hell,” so crafting diplomatic statements can feel like a true art.

Teachers hate standardized testing more than you do.

Beyond academics, teachers know a lot about you—who you’re dating, what life at home has been like, who you’re mad at. They’re always listening.

They even secretly try to form love matches.

They get angry at the system.

There’s some crazy stuff that goes on in the teachers’ lounge.

They know how to have a good time. Trust.

The good ones will really fight for you.

They care for you. You’re the reason they stick around. So show them some appreciation every now and then, would ya?

See the full discussion in the original Ask Reddit post.