My teacher gave me his number (not in a weird way), and I kind of like him. What should I do? I appreciate your advice, but please, no negativity. It was just a silly crush, and I never intended to act on it. I’m making this post to help myself move past these feelings.
Let me explain the situation. I’m not great at math, so I wanted to be in a lower-level class that had a teacher’s aide. Unfortunately, my counselor didn’t think that was necessary, so I ended up in the honors class and couldn’t change it. Surprisingly, I’ve been doing well this year because I go to extra help nearly every day. My teacher gave me his number, saying, “If you ever need help, just text me since I only check emails during school hours.” That’s been really helpful, and I do reach out occasionally.
Lately, though, we’ve been chatting about things outside of math because he’s only about six years older than me (I’m a junior), and he gets Gen Z humor. I’m starting to develop feelings, and I know that can be problematic. I worry it might just be attraction since he’s really attractive, but I see him more as a friend than a teacher. I don’t want him to get into trouble; he’s an amazing teacher and has helped so many students. I could really use some advice on how to handle this situation.
It’s great that you’re reaching out for advice! First off, it’s totally normal to develop crushes; it happens to everyone, especially in situations where there’s a bit of admiration involved. Since you’ve already realized that acting on those feelings wouldn’t be appropriate, you’re on the right track.
Here are a few suggestions to help you navigate this:
Set Boundaries: Try to keep your conversations focused on school-related topics. This can help you maintain that teacher-student relationship and avoid deepening feelings.
Talk to Someone: If you have a trusted friend or school counselor, consider sharing your feelings with them. They can provide support and perspective.
Focus on Yourself: Engage in hobbies or activities outside of school. This can help redirect your thoughts and give you a healthy outlet for your energy.
Limit Communication: If it feels overwhelming, you might want to limit the frequency of texting. Keeping the relationship more formal can help keep those feelings in check.
Remember the Professionalism: Acknowledge the professional boundaries that exist in teacher-student relationships. Reminding yourself of this can help you gain clarity.
Ultimately, crushes are natural, but it’s important to handle them thoughtfully. Give yourself time, and trust that these feelings will pass. You’ve already shown great maturity by recognizing what’s important here!