It was my senior year of high school and I was getting ready to see the Rolling Stones. My friends and I listened to their music as we drove across Michigan to see the show. This was an important event. Not only were we seeing musical legends on stage, this might be the last time they toured. After all, Mick Jagger was 47 and Keith Richards was 46. How much longer could they keep this up?
Paul McCartney, one of the greatest singer/songwriters of all time, living legend, a Beatle, one of my musical heroes…and I was going to see him in concert while in college. I couldn’t contain my excitement seeing this giant of music on stage. All the while I was thinking, I’m so glad I got the chance to see him perform. He’s 51 years old now, this could be the end of the road for his touring days.
Flash forward nearly 30 years later and both the Rolling Stones and Paul McCartney are still going strong. They play to sold out stadiums around the world and still put on a heck of show! The only thing that has changed is that I no longer think 47 (my current age) and 51 sound that old. I laugh at my perspective of many things from high school and college now, especially what is considered old age.
As I enter my 25th year in education, I think back to my first years of teaching. My younger self would have thought that I’m getting near the end of the road. Time to take things easy. The interesting thing is that I’m just as enthusiastic about being an educator as I was back then (maybe more so). In fact, I think all passionate educators keep renewing their love for this profession and students as they progress through the years. I often wonder if Mick and Paul knew back then that they were just starting the second half of their career. Sometimes when people think you’re at the end of the road, you can show them that you’re just getting started!
“I’d rather be dead than singing ‘Satisfaction” on stage at 45.” – Mick Jagger in 1975
“The rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated.” – Paul McCartney
“You’ve got the sun, you’ve got the moon, and you’ve got the Rolling Stones.” – Keith Richards
- Monday, September 16: Celebrate Monday Assembly 9:05 AM, iReady Window closes at end of day, Self-Assessments due in Pivot
- Tuesday, September 17: Achievement Team 8:15 AM
- Wednesday, September 18: Jon at Central Office for RCR Interviews 7:30 AM
- Thursday, September 19: Staff Meeting 8:05 AM, Tornado Drill 10:00 AM
- Friday, September 20: Lifetouch Picture Day in the East Commons
- Monday, September 23 – Friday, September 27: Scholastic Book Fair
- Monday, September 23: Celebrate Monday Assembly 9:05 AM
- Tuesday, September 24: Achievement Team 8:15 AM, Family Literacy Night 6:00 PM
- Wednesday, September 25: Lock Down Drill 9:30 AM, Elementary Principals Meeting 1:00-4:30 PM
- Thursday, September 26: Staff Meeting 8:05 AM, Jon at MEMSPA
- Friday, September 27: F&P testing ends, Jon at MEMSPA
The Spark of Learning 