Am I just the teacher's pet or is my professor crushing on me?

[akire9]

For the past two months, my professor often stares at me while he lectures. Whether I sit on the left, right, or middle of the classroom, he seems to maintain eye contact. When I come through the doorway before class, he'll stop what he's doing/saying and turn to smile at me.

 

During small group discussions, he hangs around my group. He stands behind or leans on the back of my chair, and peers over my shoulder at what I'm writing. He'll pick up my notebook without asking, and always has something positive to say in response to what I do/write.

 

Two weeks before our midterm exam, he e-mailed me and then asked in person if I wanted to make an appointment to get help for the exam. Despite "A"s on his quizzes/assignments, he even offered me private notes for his lectures; I declined, but the next week he e-mailed to ask how my studying was going.

 

The day of the midterm, he deliberately handed out my exam last, and laughed about it. When the exam was over, he didn't let me turn it in, but graded it by hand. Other students were still taking the exam, and he could have put my exam through the scantron reader with the others. He had a huge smile when I got 100%.

 

This weekend there is a film fest, and he e-mailed that he is planning to go with another professor. He said he would like to invite students to join them, but I think this might be a safe way to hang out while I'm still in his class.

 

I'd be interested in getting to know him when the class ends. He is single, smart, handsome, well-spoken, funny, seems kind, has a great smile, and is not much older than me. Is he sending me signals, or is it only my wishful thinking?

[d0nnivain]

At first I was going to say you may be one of the more fully engaged students in the class. When I was an adjunct professor I tended to make more eye contact with the students who were paying attention / actively listening. There's nothing more disheartening then standing up there hoping you aren't putting the whole room to sleep.

 

The e-mail about the film festival is borderline. If it was a mass e-mail to a lot of students, that is one thing but it's questionable.

 

I'm glad you recognize that this can't move forward until the semester is over. For now, just give him a wide berth, avoid being alone with him & see what next semester brings.

[barcode88]

Yeah he's into you.

[preraph]

I was always the one speakers or professors often held eye contact with because I was the only one looking like I didn't hate them or wasn't sleeping. I would nod along and show I was listening. So that alone doesn't mean anything other than you're not a zombie in class.

 

The X factor is whether he is offering help to all students like he is doing you. So ask around.

[akire9]

Yes. I also considered that I may be his focal point since I'm genuinely interested in his class and perhaps communicate this in my facial expressions or body language. It may be refreshing for him to have someone who doesn't look bored while he is talking, and to have students who are freely willing to share and discuss.

 

My professor e-mailed me again about helping him publicize this film festival. He asked me to create a flyer that we can distribute in class, and to narrow down the film choices to a few that the class can vote on. He is keeping me involved in his decision-making, and never suggested going to the movies alone. I would not go to this festival without the company of several students.