Member-only story
When you swipe right on your professor
Sex and attraction between students and teachers
Ethan wanted to talk to me after class. He looked uncomfortable. Naturally, I thought he had a complaint. Or a sister in the hospital. Maybe he was going to ask me for a deadline extension.
Instead, he invited me on a date.
He didn’t ask the way a confident adult would. After all, I was 27 to his 19. That’s almost cougar status. Especially in this case.
His opening line was, “The thing is, I find you incredibly attractive. And I don’t know what else to do. Is there even a chance?”
Ethan was appealing, but no. Zero chance. We talked about whether he would stay in my class. He said his fondness wouldn’t become a discipline issue. And he turned out to be a great student. Still, I made a report to my boss. Just in case. Imagine if he failed my class. Filed a grade appeal. Told Student Affairs that I hit on him, or encouraged him. What a stain.
One time, a student in my friend’s class took a direct approach. They lived in the same apartment complex. So he knocked on her door and invited her over for casual sex. She had to drop him from her class.
That was years ago. Now, students and teachers have even more ways to get into trouble. Imagine finding a…
