DR. WALLACE: Please remind the teachers who read your column, "To teach is to touch a life forever." Children, especially teenagers, are vulnerable to the teachers they encounter. When teachers allow their feelings, personal problems and/or other external factors to influence their relationship with a student, the consequence can cause irreparable damage to the student's self-esteem and emotional wellbeing.

Children possess a keen sense of justice and fairness and are quick to recognize inequity even though their response may be in terms of unacceptable behavior. As educators we must remember that despite their size and bombastic rhetoric, adolescents are still developing the skills they need to cope with the challenges of adulthood. They are not perfect, they have frequent lapses of responsibility and they are quite capable of childish mischief.

My career in education has offered me thousands of opportunities to touch the lives of students. I have enjoyed the best and endured the worst, from the top honor student to a student with a prison record who would grab the attention of even the most hardened adult. With all of the pressures that today's teen must withstand, understanding is essential if we are to bolster the courage to choose judiciously.

Teenagers desperately need adults on whom they can rely for models of integrity, wisdom, tolerance, consistency and perseverance in the face of adversity. The counterparts surround adolescents and can be inordinately attractive to young minds. Teachers who interact with teenagers regularly must be attuned to the silent cries from them. We must recognize the mountains and the molehills and be certain our responses are appropriate.

I implore all educators to examine themselves carefully. If the motivation to teach lacks an appreciation for the struggles that bombard students today, then some reevaluation is crucial. The decisions we make, the choices we select could make a permanent difference in the life of a student.

When we touch that life, let's be sure that the mark we leave is worth being there forever. — Teacher, Phoenix, Ariz.

TEACHER: AMEN!!!

OUR OUTSTANDING STUDENT AND ATHLETE IS GAY

DR. WALLACE: Our family has just been informed by our son that he is gay. This is a huge surprise to all of us. He is 17, a good student and an outstanding gymnast. We love our son very much and want to support him in every way that we can.

A friend of ours told us about a support group for the parents and family of gay children, but she couldn't give me any more information.

Is it possible that you are aware of this group? Members of our family have many questions to ask and would like professional answers. — Mother, St. Louis, Mo.

MOTHER: The organization is Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG). It was started by parents of gay and lesbian children looking for support from each other.

The National Office address is PFLAG, 1828 L St. NW, Suite 660, Washington, DC 20036. Their website is www.pflag.com and phone number is (202) 467-8180. There are over 1,350 PFLAG chapters in the United States.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. Email him at rwallace@galesburg.net. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.