September 17, 2015
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The Road to 65, Mile 293: Transition
September 16, 2015, Prescott- Someone remarked to me, online,this evening, that my generation is finished and that I should get in my “slot”, with regard to working with youth. I know enough about this person to understand that he was just trying to get a rise out of me. It didn’t work, in that way, but it did strike me as ironic,as did his plaint that I was “bouncing around too much”.
The irony is that I have entered a five-year period of relative settlement, following four years of “bouncing around”. At a time in life when many people, especially those in the Western countries, almost demand that we retire from work, and berate those who don’t, I am returning to a regular work schedule. The reasons are two: First, I am not ready to leave the world of education behind. Second, another Western value is that we remain independent and do not burden others, financially.
I recently read of a woman, age 100, who is still working as an educator. I applaud her! In my case, I plan to work until age 70, take a two-year sabbatical of focused travel, then return to work for three more years or so. I think 75 will be a good age for me to stop gainful employment, but I don’t know as I will ever occupy a “slot”, determined by others. Conversely, I don’t ever presume to think I will know what is best for others.
So, as my transition back to having a room full of children as my daily, and long-term, responsibility begins, and I get acquainted with my students, starting next week, I ask the gadfly, and all others who look askance at those of us who do not go gently into that good night, to stay tuned. I have lots left.
Comments (2)
You are a man with a plan and that is a very good thing!
I think there are things to learn from the young and old alike. Older people have more experience, and know things the younger generations have not encountered, and even though technology and teaching methods are somewhat changing, it is important to know the past as well. If you (or anybody) is healthy enough and want to help in the school system, or work in general, I think they should be allowed to as long as they follow the rules instilled by the institution which hires them.
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