School's Out!: When Things Get Inappropriate...

... so it's no secret that I am a young teacher, and more often than not, I get mistaken for the students if they are ever out of their daily uniforms. I'm also what I'd consider a kind of "cool" teacher - I know that sounds lame, but it's true! Almost all of my kids have informed me that I am their favorite.

This, I think, is awesome and I feel blessed that I have finally found something I love and for which I am passionate. However, where do you draw the line?

One of my students keeps half-jokingly/half-seriously asking me out on a date.

Another feels perfectly fine putting his hands in my hair (when it's not in a bun).

Another has no shame in telling me of his less-than-legal smoking habits.

A little weird, right?

But then, on the other hand, I don't want to set up this wall between us because most times I am the only one who will listen to the kids. I pride myself on being one of the teachers from whom students seek advice. I have an open door policy when it comes to their problems and struggles because I know that many of them won't get that elsewhere. Not that I'm some wise sage or anything, but because I can somewhat relate to them and have been where they are and am not too old to forget it, I try to help as much as I can.

I am thinking I should just pull certain students aside and let them know that there is a boundary, although it might seem like there isn't, but I have no idea how to go about it without presenting them with this figure they've dealt with in the past: a person they thought was cool and trusted, who then suddenly flipped and acted differently. I feel like more than anything, these kids need consistency in relationships.

So I'm not quite sure what to do...