In any other job, this wouldn't be a problem.

At the church, it is VBS week, and I am teaching the three year olds along with a coworker and two youth volunteers. This is my class from this year, so most of the parents know me. The problem is, being in such a large church with so many members, I cannot guarantee that even all the other teachers will know me.
At our church, only adults who are safe-sanctuary trained can lift children, recieve children at drop-off, and allow children to be picked up. They also are the only ones who can change diapers or enter the bathroom to help a potty-training child.
So, with this background knowledge, here is my week:
Monday:
I arrived early to prepare my classroom as I was away all the previous week for weddings. I managed to grab a shirt that fit (a youth medium...how embarrassing!) and recieved children for drop off before my coworker arrived. Most of these parents knew me and greeted me with smiles as they realized I would be the teacher. They like me, you see. Well then a grandmother came to drop off her grandson and asked the teacher from next door (who for some reason was in our room at the moment), "Are you the teacher for this room?"
I stepped a little bit closer to the door I was leaning on and said "Actually, I am!"
Her face blanched just a bit. Then I, knowing her qualms and having seen these reservations before, launched into my spiel: "I'm 22, I'm a college graduate, and I've been working with this class all year."
The grandfather of one of my girls happened to walk up to drop her off just then and said "She's really experienced, too! We've had her all year and we really like her!"
Immediately she was relieved. She gained further confidence when she mentioned her grandson's asthma and I said "Oh! I have asthma, too! Since I was six. Does he have an inhalor?"
BOOM! I have credibility! She even told my boss who happened to be there at the time "she has asthma, too, so I think it'll be okay."
Tuesday:
I arrived early again and started my favorite preparation, taping butcher paper to the tables (I fold them like presents), when a woman I've seen around came in saying "you know what they're saying about you, right?"
I stood up "what are they saying?"
She in a hushed tone she said "They're walking up and down the halls saying 'there's a GIRL teaching!' and I tell them 'She's not a GIRL! She's a LADY! She has a college degree!'" I thanked her for sticking up for me. She had the same problem when she started teaching. I lamented again that I wished staff had different colored shirts than youth helpers...something immediately recognizable.
That night I shared the story with my brother and dad, and they suggested I put my diploma up. I think I might just make a smaller copy into a necklace or something.
Wednesday:
It was music time and SOMEONE had a dirty diaper, but we weren't sure who. So I went around smelling and checking each child. The music instructor laughed and mentioned to my coworker that I was intent on finding out who it was. Somehow she let drop that she thought I was a youth helper, and my coworker corrected her, informing her that I was going to grad school in the fall.
Then at art, the teacher's assistant (also an adult) was acting a bit pushy with me and seemed a bit taken aback that I was the one telling the children what to do (as far as "okay, Daniel, I need you to come over here!" and telling my coworker that I already had told Elizabeth that next time she disobeys she goes to time out, so she need not be afraid to put her in there.). I'm fairly certain she thought I was fourteen or so.

In almost any other job, I think I could handle being mistaken for a teenager. Heck, when I was a photographer it worked in my favor because teenagers would flirt with me and I could get them to take more pictures that way and because to adults I was the witty little teen who was quick with a comeback and a bit smarter than they thought a fourteen year old should be. Little did they know I was studying statistics on my breaks. But here, it is almost a hazard to be considered as young as I look. In getting mistaken for a youth helper I am not given the authority that I actually hold. Activity leaders talk to my coworker (who is usually taking cues from me) instead of me and look confused when I make the decisions. People seem alarmed when I pick up children, and parents don't trust me. This is especially frustrating since I have several years as a nanny, babysitter, two child development classes, a play therapy course, cpr certification, and a bachelor's degree under my belt. I'm also going to be studying child development intensively in the next two years and if I were to come back I would have more education in that field than any of the ladies I work with. I think I would be the only one with a master's degree, as well. But of course, my petite frame and my baby face do nothing to show my experience, intelligence, and capability.
I don't even know what I'd do to appear older. Even when I wear makeup I still just look like a dressed-up teenager.