BINFORD, N.D. -- Larry Tag could have started receiving his teacher's pension 17 years ago.
But he kept going, and going, and going. On Thursday, he finally will stop. The last day of the Midkota Elementary school year will mark an even 50 years of hammering knowledge into the heads of our youth.
"I liked what I was doing," Tag said in answer to why he didn't retire a generation ago.
Veteran teachers fall under the Rule of 85, meaning they can start receiving a pension when their age and years of experience reach that number. In 1993, he was 52 years old with 33 years on the job.
Reaching the half-century milestone wasn't a motivation for hanging on in recent years. "Once it's in your blood, you stay with it," he said in his hushed voice.
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It was just coincidence that this was the year "where the spouse and I thought maybe it was time to spend more time together," he said.
"Now, it's time to quit and plan for our next 50 years together."
Don't doubt it. Larry and wife Marty also will celebrate their 50th anniversary in August. He credits Marty for his start in teaching and his long career.
"Our door was always open for the kids if they wanted to talk," Tag said. "She was always there. She's the one who should have been a teacher."
He said teaching has become more difficult, only because more children carry the "baggage" of troubles at home.
He's been teaching so long that, when he started, elementary teachers needed only a two-year "standard" degree to start. But he had to keep attending college and acquired a four-year degree after daily 120-mile round trips to Mayville.
His career has never strayed far off a 50-mile stretch of North Dakota Highway 200. He started at Finley at age 19, then worked at Glenfield-Sutton, which soon added McHenry and then took on Grace City and Binford to form Midkota in 1991.
"I'm sure Larry has taught some of his students' grandmothers," Superintendent of School Kerwin Borgen said jokingly while adding that it's mathematically possible.
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"Larry has always had a laid-back style. He doesn't get worked up much about things."
In keeping with his style, a low-key cake-and-coffee reception was held for Tag on Wednesday.
"I entered teaching quietly, and I want to exit quietly," he said.
Well, maybe not. He's signed up as a sub for next year.
Reach Bakken at (701) 780-1125; (800) 477-6572, ext. 125; or send e-mail to rbakken@gfherald.com .
