Not Dead Yet

On the job in a brand new location, during what is called "my middle age", I was fellow employee to a number of beginning educators. Fresh out of their own schoolings, they considered that their learning was superior to that of the more experienced because their sparkling new degrees outshone those of we more tired looking individuals who had "been through the mill". Our experience of some ten to fifteen years in the game, didn't seem to hack it with these folks. We were considered "over the hill" and although there was cooperation and companionship amongst the staff, it was evident that the younger breed of cat felt themselves far more apt. And they certainly did have all the energy and enthusiasm that they were due. It required patience during meetings at which the fresh young things were verbal about their innovative ideas and suggestions. To those of us who were beyond that "hill" and had come down safely to the other side, it was another go on the merry-go-round and patience was greatly required. Some of us were just in our forties, but were given certain "easy" tasks while the younger staff jumped about doing what they loved. They were "one of the kids" and their popularity was heady stuff. Time went on and time is a great teacher. Energy and enthusiasm are good things but they don't always have that lasting quality when the chips are down. The chips are the things that rip off when times are rough on the job and "tough" is needed in order to survive. What our fellow newbies learned was that they had to pace themselves and take time to assess each situation and learn from it whether it turned out well or not. It's called "rolling with the punches". It's a big lesson and not always a happy one. As the years progressed, most of our young colleagues came through successfully and were able to greet their new faculty with all the patience and understanding that we, the old and gold members, had learned over the years. What always surprises me is when the young and fresh talk about their being The New Generation. One day after listening to someone in that category speak of "Your Generation" and comparing it to his, I reminded him that I was not dead yet and that I used a computer and all of the other devices if that was what he was speaking of, and that apart from not doing "shooters" at the bar, I was still alive and participating fully as a member of this generation. Most of the latest inventions that we use are off-springs of former ones and those that are not, other than such as Facebook et al, have been the products of persons older than twentyish. That fact should be considered by those just starting out. I recall someone once in her twenties, who said to a respected and venerable fellow staff member : "I read research that proves workers after their seventh year, enter a period of steady decline." The elder and wiser person, smiled and nodded. I, sadly, was the speaker and later when I became a contributing staff member of more than seven years, often blushed recalling that thoughtless comment.