DON'T treat it like a crush on someone your own age. It's okay to think that a teacher or another adult is the coolest person ever. But there are some things that you might do with a crush on a peer -- such as passing notes, gossiping, or admitting your feelings -- which you probably shouldn't do with an adult crush. In order for kids and adults to work well together, there must be clear lines of behavior between them, and crossing these lines can make things awkward and difficult.

DON'T think about plans for the future. Just like with celebrity crushes, you shouldn't make the mistake of letting yourself get too caught up in a crush on a teacher or other adult. If you find yourself hoping that your family moves next door to your adult crush, or you start counting the years until you're old enough to say something about your feelings, this is a sign that you may be taking your crush way too seriously.

Jessica, 10, had a wicked crush on her art teacher Mr. Maika for months. Right before holiday break, she made cookies for all her teachers and friends. She couldn't wait to give the cookies to Mr. Maika but when she went to do it, she saw a whole pile of other gifts from other students. Meanwhile, her friend David made a point of thanking her for his cookies, and even gave her a gift in return. The whole thing helped Jessica realize that she meant a lot more to her friends -- and David, who might be a possible crush -- than to Mr. Maika.

Next Up: Advice and stories From the Mentors.