So I'm 16 (almost 17) and I have a huge crush on my female teacher who's 26 (I'm girl as well)... Well I've been going through a lot of personal issues at home including the death of 2 people very close to me and she's always been a great listener. When I'm mad, upset, or sad, she lets me come to her room to cool off and talk to me about how I'm feeling and she usually finds a way to make me feel better. Anyway, she runs this gay/straight alliance group at my school that I recently joined and every time I'm around her my 'gaydar' goes off. Also, I think that she flirts with me because I'm the only student she hugs everyday and asks to see, she smiles whenever she sees me, she laughs at everything I say, and when I asked her if she had a boyfriend she made it very clear that she was single. I don't know, maybe this is all in my head but I think she likes me a little. Any other opinions or advice about my situation? Thanks in advance!

She is being a good listener and she cares about you as one of her students. Teachers are like a friend, counselor, and parent all combined in one. She takes interest in each of her students, including you. Don't believe for a second that she is going to have a relationship with you for even a second. She's not going to risk her career, her life, her family, etc. It's all in your head.

I think this is all in your head. She is being a good and kind teacher. If you have a crush, keep it to yourself. Don't put this teachers position on line because of it.
A responsible 26 year person is not going to interested in a teenager. You are not on the same page.

She's being kind. Maybe you need to think about the actual affections you have. Are you grateful or actually in love? Remember, this is a TEACHER so be careful, do not tell her, things here and messing around can get both of you into a heck of a lot of trouble.

We live in California so it's legal.

California

The age of consent is 18, with a misdemeanor if the minor has 3 or fewer years of difference with the major, and potentially a felony if the major is more than 3 years older. Penalties increase if the adult is 21 or older and the child is 15 or younger. It is automatically a felony if the minor is under 14.[48] It is worth emphasizing[citation needed] that unlike some other states, the close-in-age rule in California (3 years) do not provide an exception nor provide any defense;[citation needed] it merely lowers the crime to a misdemeanor.[citation needed] Under this law, two minors of the same age could both be prosecuted.

Ages of consent in North America - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ages_of_consent_in_North_America#California)

There might not be a law in California stating that a teacher can not date a student, but I am sure she would lose her job if she did.

We live in California so it's legal.

Please cite any law that you THINK makes this legal. As noted the age f consent is 18. And most laws refer to people in positions of influence. It is highly unlikely that it would be legal for a teacher to even date a student.

We live in California so it's legal.
No, it's not legal. I am a teacher in CA. We will be fired on the spot in my district for something as simple as driving a student home without a principal in the car with us. We also cannot date students, period. California laws apply to teachers. A relationship with a minor is grounds for job loss, and criminal prosecution. Do yourself a favor and listen to the adults here. Nothing is going to happen between the student and the teacher.

Didn't ask for the citation though.

Didn't ask for the citation though.

Then what makes you think its legal?