Student having feelings for me

Question

I've run into a little snag in my life, having to do with a student I formally had. Going back aways, I was teaching at a small high school for about two years as a substitute ,my first REAL job. I'm a younger teacher. Anyway, in the second year of my substituting I had a student who was having some problems in her life that I didn't notice at first until we chatted some. On field trips and after school , and we became good friends. Around the time my second year ended, and the teacher who I was substituting for, returned and the student moved. I had suspicions that this student has had feelings for me with her actions and expressions as well as pieces of conversations of I have over heard. When her close friend was graduating, she returned to visit for graduation, and her actions nearly proved my suspicions. (Crying with a hug, and rare smile). My problem is, as dear as this student is to me, she is a student. I really don't know how to let her down easy without hurting her, or how to prevent our relationship from coming to that. I worried about what I might do if she confesses to me, and want to have a plan. I know it would take great courage for her to do that especially seeing how much of a tomboy she is and I do care for her. She's a sweet girl. I just don't know where to go with this...I know I went kind of over the line in knowing her so well and befriending her. I'm worried...She always tries understands why people do the things they do , whether she can comprehend or not. She always thinks people have the best intentions and tries to look at the upsides of their actions, this is what I admire greatly about her however, I'm worried she might not go by what I know about her this time and even if she does understand, I don't want her to feel hurt.

-For the record, I had to repost my question seeing as it got reported. I read over the TOS and nothing seemed wrong.-

Answer 1

You are both human beings.  You are not just a teacher/robot.  You have feelings for this person.  You care.  I would go to a private counsellor and discuss your feelings about the student.  If she confesses to you, trust your feelings and just hear her out.  I wouldn't get into a discussion about her feelings for you.  Just listen and say, I'm sorry you're experiencing these feelings.  And refer her to a professional counsellor.  Unless you're in love with her and then you're on your own because that more complicated than I'm prepared to go into right now.  Good luck nobel teacher.

Answer 2

She has a schoolgirl crush.  This is normal and not uncommon.  Soon, she will notice a boy her own age and the problem will solve itself.

Being friendly is perfectly acceptable.  However, you need to maintain a respectable student/teacher relationship.  If you have problems with this, you need to leave the teaching profession immediately.  It'll be more trouble than it's worth.  

Answer 3

If the student has moved, I wouldn't over worry.  I would report to your principal (assumingyou are teaching now) that you think that a former student has developed a crush on you.

Other than that, polite distance is your best bet.  

Answer 4

First you should go to the principal and her guidance counsellor and let them know that you suspect that she is growing some inappropriate feelings for you.  You did let things get a little out of hand by befriending her, but, sometimes there are students who just grow on you.  Be frank with her and let her know that although she is a very nice girl and some boy is going to love her someday, that you are a teacher and she is a student and you view her as such.  Let her know that you are sympathetic to her feelings and her situation, but you want her to know that there are boundaries and she cannot become attached to you...