Sucker Upper or Genuine?

In high school, when I was taking AP History, I remembered that I was on the verge of getting a C+. That's when I decided to go to extreme measures and start sucking up. I started asking the teacher if I could stop by after school for some extra help (I only did that so it looked like I was interested in US History, in reality I was thinking yawn yawn yawn). I started talking to her and learned that her favorite candy bar was a Butterfinger. When report cards were about to be submitted, I went out and got her a Hallmark card and raved about what a wonderful teacher she was and how she's changed my life and also included a giant Butterfinger. When my report card came in the mail, I ended up with a B-. woohoo~

When I say I know how to suck up like no other, I mean it. It's helped me get through some "tough" times in school, haha. Anyway, now that I'm on the other side, I think I've been experiencing some sucker uppers as well. I'll be honest, it is quite flattering, and I don't want them to stop.

During the first 10 minutes of class every day, I have a random journal write for my students. Last Friday's was "My Dream Teacher". The topics are pretty open ended and they're free to write about whatever they please. A couple students decided that I was their dream teacher, one of them wrote that I was their favorite teacher because "she is nice, teaches us, and is very pretty". After I read that, I'm like "shoot, automatic A+ for the rest of the school year".

Anyway, this got me to thinking, are these students old enough to really know how to suck up? I'll admit, there are times when I'm at work and I'm always curious as to how I'm doing as a teacher. Whether they're sucking up to me or not, it does help boast my ego and make my day. In conclusion, I decided that I do like suck ups, 'cause I can't handle the truth. jk.