There is nothing wrong with having a crush on your teacher — most people do at some point. Good teachers are kind, smart, inspiring, and interested in what we have to say. (And some are cute, too.) Who wouldn't have a crush on someone like that?

As long as you don't make your crush known to him you're okay. Your teacher is married and has his own life, and that's the way it should be. (And if any teacher crosses the line — starts getting really flirty or making moves on you — there's probably something wrong here. You should talk to a parent or another trusted adult.)

But crushing on him is fine. Our crushes are just fantasies, and fantasies are an important part of life. Daydreams allow us to make stories for ourselves. We can become rock stars in our bedrooms, and famous writers at our computers. It's not a waste of time, either. Thinking through daydreams and fantasies is good practice for real life. You will never become a famous writer if you don't dream it first, and you will never have a romantic relationship if you don't also dream it first.

And don't worry, you will get over this crush. One day you'll notice the guy who sits next to you in class, and you will have a crush on him. Only he is more accessible, and you may even date him if you want. In a few years, you will have long forgotten your teacher (I can't remember my 10th grade history teacher's name, but I do remember what he looked like and that I had a crush on him!) and moved on to guys your age and to real-life relationships. Because you have already had fantasy relationships in your head, these real relationships should be much less scary for you. So dream on — but secretly!

— Kate Forest, MSW