Age is Just a #

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Age is Just a #
By G.M.

Hi Diane:

I want to encourage you to not give up hope of obtaining a teaching position. You will IF you don't give up!

I DO understand the concern about age discrimination. I worried about that all through completing
my college courses a few years back. Then one day I realized that it's not your chronological age that makes you an effective teacher; it's your heart & soul, your dedication and enthusiasm, your creativity, love of children, do I need to go on?
I'm not saying agism doesn't exist in some "small" minds. Unfortunately, I think there are a few persons who believe the younger the teacher,

the better. But I think they are in the minority these days. Thank goodness! I think the majority realize that age is just a number. I think it's people like you and me who are helping the younger generations to see that you can be highly productive at any age. It's not the age; it's the attitude.

I am 46 now. I obtained my first teaching assignment last July. I was 45 then. I did not try to conceal my age. I went in there with my strands of gray hair, laugh lines that frame my mouth, and my aged-spotted hands (from too much gardening) and landed the job. Why?

I think my enthusiasm, sense of humor, and my "disposable" portfolios got me the job that day. In a nutshell, it was my positive attitude. (I handed each interviewer a portfolio; there were 4; I was prepared to hand out 7, if needed.)

Anyway, I just wanted to say don't give up! Believe in yourself, and you know what, most others will believe in you too. To heck with the rest of them. Don't waste your energy on them!

And too, sometimes a school is looking for a particular type of teacher. It happens to just about all of us. Don't take it personally. That's the key.

Hope this helps.