Is it strange for a high school teacher to feel shy around his students?
I might be interpreting this wrong, but is it typical for a 29-year-old male teacher to feel shy around his female students who are around 15-16 years old?
He doesn’t exhibit any inappropriate behavior and seems to be the friendly, approachable teacher that everyone likes. Recently, we had picture day at school. Normally, the teacher sits in the middle of the group photo, but this time, he chose to stand at the back with the boys instead of sitting in the middle with the girls. I get why he did that—he might have wanted to avoid any discomfort for the girls sitting next to him or any potential misunderstandings that could arise from incidental contact.
When the photographer suggested he sit between the girls to keep the rows balanced—like every other year—he reluctantly agreed.
What struck me as odd was that for the next few days, he kept talking about how shy he felt sitting with so many girls. He kept saying things like, “OMG, I felt so shy!” and “This is the first time I’ve ever been near so many girls!” It was cringeworthy, and nobody laughed; we just exchanged awkward glances.
Come on, man—you’re almost 30! 
I can’t help but wonder if he was trying to downplay any potential awkwardness or accusations, but instead, he just made the situation more uncomfortable. I was one of the girls sitting near him, and every time he made one of those comments, I felt uneasy. It seemed like he was trying to lighten the mood, but it just backfired.
So, my question is: is this kind of behavior considered normal, or am I overreacting by thinking he was acting strangely? 
It’s understandable to feel uncomfortable in situations like this, especially when an adult is expressing feelings about being around young students in a way that seems overly emotional or out of place. The teacher’s behavior does seem a bit unusual for someone his age, and it’s natural for you and your classmates to feel awkward because of it.
While it’s possible that he was trying to be light-hearted or relatable, the way he reacted suggests he might be overly self-conscious or even unsure about how to interact with his students in a professional manner. This could stem from a desire to avoid misunderstandings and maintain appropriate boundaries, but the execution fell flat and ended up making you all feel uncomfortable.
In general, teachers should strive to create a comfortable environment without drawing unnecessary attention to themselves. If his comments felt more like an attempt to deflect or mask discomfort rather than genuine engagement, it’s perfectly reasonable to question the appropriateness of his responses.
Ultimately, it’s okay to feel that his behavior was a bit off. If it continues or escalates, it might be worth discussing with a trusted adult or school counselor. Your feelings are valid, and creating a respectful and professional atmosphere is important for everyone in the school community.