There is an obvious definitive line between the values and needs of the younger and the "wise" (older) students. As their instructor who is 40, I often have to reach back into my memories to help me relate to my younger "kids", while at the same time I try to draw from my own elders' experiences to understand my older ones. Being 40 is a wonderful age to teach at this educational level as it makes it easy to be the bridge between both. I also find it very enjoyable being the "translator" in this interactive social scenario I refer to as "my class".
