They say that working with kids keeps you young.
Now in my 17th year of teaching, I’d say that’s true.
As a teacher, I hear many of the new slang terms and even know what quite a few of them mean.
I’m aware of many famous people on YouTube and I have a front row seat to unfortunate trends in clothing and hairstyles.
I won’t comment on the return of male perms, but my profession did allow me to see that trend coming before many other adults did.
Thankfully, as an adult, I’m able to observe but still avoid most of these youthful initiatives.
And no, I don’t want to hear any jokes about my inability to get a perm.
My point is that spending so much time with kids provides access to both the good and not-so-good aspects of being young.
Often as teachers, when we observe some of those not-so-good tendencies, we try to correct them and might become a little frustrated by them.
A good example is procrastination. Few things irritate teachers more than students waiting until the last minute to study, complete a project or write a paper.
Surely, as an adult and as a professional, I know better and do better.
Until I’m the student.
I’m currently enrolled in a graduate-level “Psychology of Aging” course at Minnesota State University, Mankato.
It’s an online, four-credit, challenging course with a knowledgeable instructor, interesting assignments and relevant exams.
It’s also a lot of work.
Because it’s online, all assignments, papers and exams are due at midnight on various dates.
I’m rather ashamed to say that usually I turn in those assignments between 10:30 and 11:30 p.m. — or later — on the night they are due.
It turns out procrastination by students doesn’t always end with adulthood.
Of course, I have an excuse. I’m busy.
I work full time, am involved in lots of community and church activities and have my own “homework” to do each night for my real job.
I even have to write a column for the local newspaper once a month.
I mean, doesn’t the teacher realize that I …
Oh wait. Where have I heard this before?
From my own students, of course.
Most of them have lots of other responsibilities and interests. Like I do. And, they have more classes than I do.
They have sports, music rehearsals, part-time jobs and more.
Many spend as much or more time at church or community activities than I do.
And sometimes, or even often, they procrastinate.
So the next time I notice one of my students waiting until the last minute, I may be a little more forgiving.
Just like I hope my professor, and my editor, will be.
You guessed it. I’m submitting this column late at night on the last night possible.
After all, working with kids just keeps me young.