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Was I crying over an Instagram reel of a first grade classroom before my eyes were open enough to unlock my iPhone screen this morning? Sure was.
In her now viral video with 1.4 million views and counting, MsGellarTeachesLittles morning routine has countless folks feeling all the feelings, and honestly? We should be. Because while most of us are bribing our kids with screen time just to get shoes on the correct feet, this teacher is out here building tiny humans into confident, kind, emotionally intelligent people—before most of us have finished our first coffee.
Her call and response pep talk is the kind of pint-sized Stuart Smalley business we’d love to pump right into our veins.
“I’m awesome. I’m smart. I’m strong. I’m loved. I’m a leader. I’m gooooooood looking. I can do hard things. I can make mistakes. It’s okay to make mistakes. I’m kind. I listen. I’m respectful. I’m a good kid. And I’m gonna have the best Friday.”
Then comes the sweetest part: They kiss their hands, touch their foreheads, look at a friend and say, “I’m so glad you’re here,” before zipping it, locking it, and putting it in their pocket—presumably to save for whenever the going gets tough.
Why these teacher affirmations matter more than we realize
As one commenter, aubtinism, perfectly put it: “This contributes more to humanity than 90% of jobs.” And they’re not wrong. While we’re out here adulting in our various careers, teachers like Ms. Gellar are literally programming the next generation’s internal dialogue.
User diehardberker’s comment really drove it home: “My inner child needed to hear you screaming to those kids, asking for repetition, ‘I’m a good kid!’ A few of those kids, like I would’ve at that age, would’ve gone home to hear the exact opposite. And as one of those kids (so what if I’m grown up now) I know you’re making a huge difference to them. They hear you! They will tune out all else, just keep going!”
Let that sink in. For some of these kids, this might be the only place they hear they’re awesome, smart, strong, and loved. This two-minute routine could be the voice that drowns out everything else.
The science behind the sweetness
Positive affirmations aren’t just feel-good fluff. Research shows that positive self-talk actually rewires neural pathways, builds resilience, and improves emotional regulation. When kids internalize these messages early—especially that it’s okay to make mistakes—they’re more likely to take risks, try new things, and bounce back from setbacks.
Translation: Ms. Gellar isn’t just making kids feel good. She’s literally building their brains.
What we can steal for our own homes
The beauty of this routine is its simplicity. You don’t need a teaching degree or a Pinterest-perfect setup. Just consistency and commitment to speaking life into your kids, even when they’ve asked “why” for the 47th time today.
Try adapting the affirmation for your family. Make it a breakfast table thing, a carpool tradition, or a bedtime ritual. The specifics matter less than the repetition. Our kids need to hear—over and over—that they’re worthy, capable, and loved, especially on the days when everything feels hard.
The real MVP
Let’s not forget: Teachers like Ms. Gellar are doing this after buying their own classroom supplies, navigating impossible class sizes, and probably handling at least three meltdowns before lunch. As another commenter noted, “These people deserve the highest pay possible. The foundation of our country.”
They’re not just teaching reading and math. They’re teaching kids how to be human beings who believe in themselves.
So here’s my affirmation: Thank you, teachers. You’re awesome. You’re making a difference. And we’re so glad you’re here.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go tell my kids they’re good-looking and see if that helps with homework compliance.
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