Gladly Would I Teach

This morning’s LA Times contains an inspirational story of Bruce Kravets, a 66-year-old middle school math teacher who refuses to retire.  The article fascinated me because it contrasts sharply with the opinions of so many teachers.

Last night as I read through the Facebook status updates of some of my teacher friends, I was struck by how many of them reflected anxiety and unhappiness about having to return to school after the one-week Thanksgiving break. In an online teacher discussion forum I check regularly, several teachers yesterday reported that they couldn’t wait to retire. Yet, here is a teacher who won’t retire, a teacher who actually works without a paycheck.

Retired Los Angeles teacher keeps at it, for free

Bruce Kravets keeps coming back to school after 42 years because

He couldn’t think of anything more fun or rewarding than teaching algebra, geometry, logic and stage craft.

After 32 years of teaching, I think I understand how Kravets feels. I’m thinking of leaving high school teaching and teaching at the college level, but I can’t imagine retiring now. I actually believe that teaching becomes easier as we age. Yes, there are exceptions, but, for the most part, good teachers who enjoy their jobs probably are able to prepare effective lessons faster, reach difficult students easier and with less tension, maintain the interest of students longer, mentor younger colleagues with more patience, and prevent parental complaints with greater understanding than they could as younger or less experienced teachers. In fact, physical tasks may be the only areas where older teachers  may encounter more trouble than previous years.

Does this mean all good teachers will stay in the classroom beyond retirement age? Of course not! Many excellent teachers retire because they have other things they want to accomplish or because they are tired of the routine of daily teaching.

As this article illustrates, however, good teachers who are respected by their peers, administrators, students, and former students might just stay around for a few years past their retirement.

And we need them!