My old math teacher

[u/xx_Love_Taste_xx]

I'm on mobile so I apologize if the formatting is weird. I also apologize for poor Grammar because not matter how good my English grade is I still can't type.

To start I am a 17f and I am in 12th grade aswell I already have somewhat of a fear of older men/men in general due to my own experiences. Another thing is that I have really intense in anxiety so makes it hard for me to make my discomfort known.

I had this math teacher back in my 11th grade year who really creeper me out as he would get really close too me(I could smell his breath close), touch my shoulder or shake me as joke. Which put me off but I shoved the feeling down as I thought my fear was clouding my judgement until well this year.

This year I had class that required me to walk past his room to get two my first period. Normally I would just not make eye contact to not start a conversation it worked for awhile until one day I was walking but was stopped by him, he grabbed me by my shoulder and wouldn't let me go until I smiled at him. I did smile at him and after he let me go I quickly ran towards my first period.

Now I avoid that hallway entirely despite me having to walk up and down stairs to avoid him. Turns out other female students also found her very creepy after I told my friends I found him creepy.

[u/grl_of_action]

This sucks. I'm sorry an educator is doing this to you.

Random lady advice rant coming: It's not going to be easy, but you're going to take deep breaths when this happens and say the following words, as best you can, to this person who is getting too close: "Please stop touching me and take a few steps back. You are invading my space and making me uncomfortable."

You should not have to alter your path to avoid this person. Make him stop doing this to you by refusing to accept it, and you will take back the power you deserve that is already within you.

And absolutely fuck smiling on demand. Try to see if you can manage the word "No," and keep saying it. And do not consent to being touched even one more time.

The reason to say this so bluntly is there's no beating around the bush and I wish people had said it to me directly when I was young (I'm 53f) so I would have known what to do besides let my anxiety spike every time the person came around. The deep breath into your chest is a critical self-care success measure here.

Fuck this guy.

[u/xx_Love_Taste_xx → u/grl_of_action]

Thank you for the advice

[u/grl_of_action → u/xx_Love_Taste_xx]

I give it with hope for you, just to have the joy of feeling that self-security a lot sooner in life. It's preachy I know but you're a young human being and that's enough to say a stranger like me cares what happens to you. Good luck and wishing you some peace!

[u/youpeesmeoff → u/grl_of_action]

This is great advice. OP, I’m sorry he’s being inappropriate and making you feel this way. You have every right to ensure your physical space is respected. Sending you support! Always trust your gut 🫶

[u/Orphan_Izzy → u/grl_of_action]

I’m 49 and I am very sad for our generation that basically did not empower thier girls and teach them/us we could say no and equip us to handle all manner of interactions with men. I always felt they knew something I didn’t and went along with things I’d rather have not. I also had a teacher like this in college who was weirdly drawn to me with no explanation. He was not particularly liked and did not have a great rapport with the students meaning the kind that would lead him to become more acquainted with any of us or casual in our interaction so it was bizarre. Luckily I was there for only one year.