You’re shopping at Target and you see your chemistry teacher: awkward right? If you think this is weird, try texting your teachers-that’s what STA students are doing. Some teachers now share their cell phone numbers in a contact information category on Moodle. Yes, indeed, this means, while violating no administrative policies, students can now text their teachers with school related issues.

Science teacher Terry Conner, who gives her cell phone number to students on Moodle, posted a disclaimer on the site next to her cell phone number: ‘texts may or may not be answered immediately.’

‘[How fast I respond] kind of depends,’ Conner said. ‘If I have my phone when a text comes in I’ll answer quickly but I leave my phone downstairs at night and I won’t answer until morning.’

Sophomore honors chemistry student Jane Evans considers Conner’s responses helpful.

‘[When I texted Conner] I didn’t get an answer immediately but by the time I received a response it was useful,’ Evans said.

Science teacher Renee Blake also finds texting useful, but for other reasons. She has noticed that some students feel more comfortable using technology to reach her.

‘I want [students] to feel comfortable enough [to text me],’ Blake said. ‘I’ve noticed that some girls who are fearful or shy to ask a question in class or before or after class are more comfortable messaging [on Moodle] or texting.’

Blake also feels that this form of communication strengthens relationships between teachers and students.

‘[Texting] is what [students] grew up with and I’m using a connection that they’re comfortable with,’ Blake said.

However, former senior ecology student Lauren Scott believes a line should be drawn between teacher-student relationships. According to Scott, social networking sites like Facebook cross that line.

“I think that is a little too far on the Facebooking [between teachers and students],” Scott said. “I would not like it if a teacher was Facebook stalking me, that is a little creepy. I think texting, Moodling and e-mail is enough communication between students and teachers.”

Scott does not Facebook Blake, but she texts her for academic help.

‘One time we had an assignment due by midnight and my internet was down at home,’ Scott said. ” I wanted [Blake] to know ASAP so I texted her so she didn’t think I was making things up. I would have missed credit on two assignments because I didn’t have them turned in on time.’

Evans, on the other hand, felt more apprehensive before texting Conner.

‘I thought that texting a teacher would be weird, but when I really needed to know the answer to a chemistry question and none of my friends knew, I thought I’d give it a try,’ Evans said.

However, several teachers choose not to share their cell phone numbers on Moodle, including English teacher Katie Dolan.

“I just feel that both through Moodle and e-mail outside of school I’m easily accessible to students and there’s nothing so urgent that they really need to have my cell phone number to contact me,” Dolan said.

Overall, though, most agreed that texting between teachers and students at STA is beneficial.

‘[I think texting between teachers and students is beneficial] just so there’s a comfort level where [students] can feel free to ask me a question and so there’s not this barrier because I’m a teacher,’ Blake said.