Let’s admit it, when any of us need some relationship help, we usually go to our friends and sometimes even our parents.

But our teachers?  Please. Trying to picture any of the school’s staff in their “courting years” is enough to make many students laugh.

However, that maybe a rush to judgement. These teachers who appear so professional and distant to students were once teenagers too. Their advice is surprising and useful, if a little bit humorous at times.

Fathers often have concerns about their children dating and some of their worries may even be valid at times.

“Don’t do it. Stay home. Nothing good happens after ten o’clock. Stay home,” said physics teacher Anthony Beimer, “And if you’re my daughter, then I’m going to go with you. And there’s a form that you have to fill out before you even go do anything with my daugher.”

However, another teacher has a completely different take.

“Date and get to know as many people as you can and don’t take anything too seriously in high school,” anatomy teacher Greg Christensen said.

So what happens when you find someone you do want to date?

“I would advise you to first meet and try to know the person better, and absolutely try to be safe,”  Spanish teacher Maryline Gengoux said.

Safety isn’t the only thing to consider, however. You’re there to have a good time, right?

“You are out there having fun with someone that you care about, so you want to treat them with respect, and with great manners,” school nurse Jeannie Haines said, “Dating helps everybody figure out relationships and practice finding other people that they enjoy, and it just starts a whole life of fun and connecting with other people and eventually someday finding your partner for life.”

But not all dates lead to relationships and not all relationships live happily ever after, especially in high school.
“If you keep breaking up and getting back together and breaking up and getting back together, there’s probably a reason that you’re not supposed to be together,” art teacher Amanda Beller said.
In general, the staff seemed to agree on three main points.

“Number one, be safe. Number two, we as parents need to know where you are. Number three, always be a lady and a gentleman,” school nurse Jeannie Haines said.