...That Student Who Always Has the Answers...

I've taught for almost two decades now and I pride myself on maintaining a professional demeanor. But there's this one student... Alex, from my AP Calculus class. Every single time we hit a complex problem, Alex has an answer that just astounds me. It started innocently enough... I'd find myself getting butterflies when the class was discussing a particularly tricky concept and then Alex would raise their hand with a solution that left everyone else stumped. It's strange because normally I'm completely impartial in my teaching, but somehow this kid has me thinking more about him than anyone else on my roster.... The worst part is that I know it doesn't make sense...I shouldn't have feelings for a student. Yet here I am, trying to figure out how to subtly steer conversations toward something relevant and yet personal enough to get some insight into Alex's life beyond the classroom... It's such an odd dynamic when I try to be both teacher and...whatever you call someone you're kind of crushing on in your head. But then again, maybe that's just me overthinking everything. ....