Over the hill

I am a classroom teacher and individual tutor for a major test preparation company. I teach teenagers how to handle the SAT. You should see the reactions I get from people when I tell them what I do. I can now empathize with my dad, who is a dentist.

"You do WHAT?" or

"Uh, that's nice..." (turns and walks away,) or

"Eeeeewwww." or

"Unnnnghhhhh."

Sometimes it's just a frightened pucker, like someone didn't want to eat a lemon, but forced it down, because they thought their future and career depended on it and because their parents paid a lot of money for it. It's amusing.

The other day I was assigned a tutoring student whose previous tutor was too low-key for him. The student has attention issues (diagnosed.) I have been assigned to sing and dance. No, really, I got on the phone with his mom to reassure her that I have plenty of experience with such things. After she quizzed me on my math abilities, we bonded over high-maintenance children. She apparently was satisfied with my qualifications once she knew I was a nurturing type as well. What I didn't expect was her relieved outburst:

"I'm so glad that you're an older woman!"

I was speechless for a moment. Deep breath. She's never met me, I reminded myself. I just laughed it off and told her that I was glad I could help out her family.

I wonder if she'll remember what she said when I walk in the door, all 32 years of my old self.