Do teachers ever feel old when they see their former students all grown up?

Question

Do teachers ever feel old when they see their former students all grown up?

Answer 1

No, its fun to think that in my early 30s I have students who I taught in 1st grade 9 years ago who are almost in college! That is enough to reinvigorate me.

Answer 2

They do if its 50 years later...

Answer 3

Some teachers might feel like they are getting when they see their students all grown up. They might feel like the years are just flying by. Others might have a very positive way of looking at it. They might feel very accomplished at how many students they have taught. The also might remember all the fun and good times they had with their students. And teachers are probably just proud in general that they got to educate, inspire, and teach the children that they taught.

Answer 4

feel old - thats youth talking. At some point life is life and you are just enjoying the ride.

I see it as milestones - These are some milestones I proudly have been a part of:

former students:

*Quinceañeras

*high school graduations

*college graduations! - some with masters degree's!

*marriages

*visiting with their new child

*entire families coming through my classroom - this next year Ill be getting the last girl in the family of 5 kids - the oldest about to graduate college now.

*students informing me of their career choices  - my first doctor this last year -(older sister of one of my outgoing kids)

*a former student of mine is now my colleague

I am just about the age where soon, ill be getting some of the children of my former students - that should be interesting - do I dare compare them to how their mom acted in class? that would be something.

I admire those teachers who have had the chance to see 2 generations come through! that *is* something.

The thing is - I have a connection to my school and the people who come through it - I'm not looking to be young again - these great experiences are only available to me through time and a connection to place - you'll be lucky if someday in your future you can find such a calling.

Answer 5

Nah, old just happens, you feel it more when your body doesn't respond the way it used to.  Seeing younguns all grown up is rather charming and reminds us old folks of how time goes by so quickly, so quickly.

Answer 6

The first time I took a class with a former student--OY.

Answer 7

I have been teaching for 10 years.  It does not make me feel that old when I see my former students.  Although, the oldest group of students that I have taught are now in college.  I teach 7th grade.  I am very proud of most of them.  I still have some of my former students come to my classroom now to see how I am, and thank me.   Of course they didn't do that  when they were in 7th grade, but that is a hard time for kids.  I think that when they got older they really appreciated having a teacher the cared about them, even though they did not always like what I had to say.

Answer 8

I don't.  When I see how accomplished most of them are I feel proud, but not old.

Answer 9

Everyone else has said no, but I've been teaching for almost 30 years, and when I see some of my first students who are now in their early 50s, I do feel old (in those days, I was pretty much the same age as my students).

Answer 10

No, I don't feel old around former students. Now some of my former students have children of their own that I will be teaching. I am happy to still be in class.

Answer 11

You know you've been teaching a long time when you teach the children of students that you had.