Earlier this week I posted a story that MSNBC did on Teacher Crushes and their innocence and how they actually inspire students to do well. After the story was published they received letters from people describing their individual “crushes” and here are a few of them. I thought that they were all very good.
In biology class, we had a student teacher come in for a semester. My grade went from a D+ to a B+ in a matter of weeks. I didn’t want her to think I was dumb. I am pretty sure she had no idea. After all that time of my parents telling me if I applied myself I could do it, imagine that — they were right.
— Chip, Kalamazoo, Mich.
In the 7th grade, in Jacksonville, N.C. in 1966. He was, first of all, the first male teacher I had ever had, and he was gorgeous! Tall, dark and handsome. Prior to that year I was always getting into trouble for talking too much. In his class, I hung onto every word he said. My grades went up that year! I certainly didn’t want him to think I was stupid, as if it would matter! It was innocent, it was lovely, it is a very sweet memory. I’m sorry in today’s world we have to be so cautious of our children and they can’t enjoy the innocence of a teacher crush.
— Debi, Greensboro, N.C.
In high school I had Mr. V for AP history. So smart which I found sexy (and easy on the eyes). I did more work in his class than any other. Plus I loved the class and had to work twice as hard because everyone was so smart. He wrote very positive and encouraging words on my very lengthy assignments. I did well because I wanted too impress him. I still have some of those old assignments in my yearbooks. He inspired me as a teacher as well. Last year I taught a global studies class and loved it! He was a result of that.
— Pamela
Click on over to MSNBC for more letters.
What’s your opinion of this cute story from MSNBC?
Some points:
No matter how far removed you are from your school days, those loopy feelings associated with a teacher crush can stick with you long into adulthood, psychologists say. That’s because the years between late elementary school and early high school — when teacher crushes are most likely to happen — are when kids are most impressionable.
“A classroom where the kids are really crazy about their teacher — that’s a terrific classroom,” Cottle says. “When stress is down, you learn better. When you’re feeling good, learning is enhanced, memory is enhanced.”
Often, rather than anything romantic or sexual, a teacher crush is about a student searching for a role model, Bigler says. One of the girls would often come by to chat after school or between classes, and Bigler thought she might have just needed someone to talk to.
Experts assure parents that most of the time, a teacher crush is a positive thing. But parents should pay attention to the stories their child brings home from school. If they’ve suddenly stopped all chatter regarding their teacher or they say their teacher’s making them uncomfortable, that can be a warning sign that the student-teacher relationship may have taken an inappropriate turn, experts say.
I’m not sure I ever had a “teacher crush”, but there were definitely teachers that I really admired and I did REALLY well in those classes. My elementary teacher Mr. Ramault comes to mind, as well as my HS teacher Mr. Bruce…both of which weren’t very good looking. My son had a teacher crush last year, and he definitely did tremendously well. Maybe it’s true. Give me YOUR thoughts!