6.      Don’t be a “hugger” – I know that there are some people in the world who are huggers.  I also know that some people feel that students may not get any affection from an adult at home, and we could make such a difference in the student’s life if we just provide that basic human need at school.  In a world without lawyers, I would be on board with that line of thinking.  Unfortunately, that’s not the world you and I live in.  You shouldn’t touch a student, ever (unless you are breaking up a fight, of course).  Touching a student exposes you to liability if a student makes accusations against you.  If you are known as someone who never makes physical contact with students for any reason, it is more likely that you will be believed when you deny the accusations.  If you are a hugger, and someone accuses you of touching someone inappropriately…some people will say, “Well, he does hug the students a lot….”