Tennessee Retired Teachers' Association

Dr. Williams visited the Clarksville-Montgomery RTA for their annual luncheon and auction on Tuesday, December 17th at the First Missionary Baptist Church. The purpose of the auction was to raise money for the chapter's scholarship fund. A great time was had by the over 50 members who attended. Former TRTA Executive Director Ron Pendergrass served as the event auctioneer. 

Pictured: Karen Pendergrass, CMCRTA Legislative Chair; Ron Pendergrass, retired TRTA Director; and Dr. Williams 

Dr. Williams met with the Hardeman Co RTA on Tuesday, December 10, at The Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Bolivar. President Mark Avent presided over the meeting. Twenty members were present and enjoyed a delicious Christmas lunch. Poinsettias were given away as door prizes. 

Pictured are Dorrie Powell- Secretary,

Bobbie Hurde - Vice President, Gredell Harris - Legislative Chair,

Mark Avent - President,

Dr. Williams - TRTA Director, and

Sally Robinson - Treasurer

 Dr. Williams visited the Memphis-Shelby Co RTA Thursday, November 14. Over 40 members were in attendance and heard an update on the Voucher bill. Dr. Williams is pictured with Dr. Charles Greene, President Elect for West Tennessee RTA and Past TEA President Barbara Gray. Dr. Greene is completing his term as a local school board member and Mrs. Gray just won a school board seat in the Millington School District! Congratulations!! TRTA members continue to serve!

The Wilson County RTA met on Thursday, November 7 at 10:00 at the Rutland Place Senior Center in Mt. Juliet. WCRTA President Jeff Garrett welcomed the group of 37 attendees. Dr. Williams provided a TRTA update and news on the recently filed voucher bill. WCRTA signed up three new members at the meeting. 

Margaret Garrett serves on the TRTA Legislative Committee, Pres Garrett, and Dr. Williams

The Williamson Co RTA met on Friday, September 20 in Franklin. Dr. Williams served as the guest speaker. Around 30 members were in attendance, and they enjoyed an excellent meeting.

Pictured:

President Elect Lynn Winters, Dr. Williams, and WCRTA President, Ruth Sanders.

Dr. Williams attended the Clarksville-Montgomery September meeting on Thursday, September 19. Over 35 members were in attendance. They enjoyed a wonderful lunch and an excellent meeting. 

Beverly Berard (left) provided a wonderful devotion for the CMRTA members at their September meeting. Beverly gave Dr. Williams the lamb from her devotion for being the guest speaker. Joining Dr. Williams and Beverly is the current CMRTA President, Becky Adams (On right).

Dr. Williams visited the Chattanooga- Hamilton Co RTA's annual picnic on Friday, June 7th, at the Chester Frost Park Pavilion in Chattanooga. The program began at 10:30. Rhonda Catanzaro retired TEA Uniserv for Hamilton County led a rousing rendition of "God Bless America."  Six local graduates were awarded over $12,000 in scholarships to earn their teaching degrees. Dr. Williams brought greetings from the TRTA office. There were over 100 members and guests in attendance - they enjoyed a wonderful catered BBQ lunch with all the trimmings. 

Pictured from L to R

Gil Highlander - CHCRTA member and RA delegate

Dr. Williams

Teresa Kelly - Past Membership Chair for TRTA

Rich Rushworth - CHCRTA

Ron Moss - TRTA Board Member

Dr. Williams visited the Hamblen Co. RTA on Tuesday, May 21st, at O'Charley's in Morristown. He provided a legislative wrap up and a TRTA state update to the 20 plus members and guests. HCRTA also made a donation to the Boys and Girls Club of Morristown.

Pictured from L to R: Dr. Williams and HCRTA Pres. Bob Cates.

 The Metro Nashville Retired Teachers Association (MNRTA) hosted a retirement seminar for the system's teachers on Thursday afternoon, May 9th, at the MNEA office in Nashville. Officers from MNRTA greeted the attendees and provided refreshments and "swag" for everyone. Dr. Williams provided an informative presentation with a Q and A session at the end. Representatives from the local school system provided an excellent presentation about continuing insurance coverage and Medicare for retirees.

Pictured from L to R: TRTA Executive Director Dr. Williams, MNRTA President-Elect Jill Speering, 2024-25 Membership Chair Melanie Bells, and current MNRTA President Morgan Branch.

On Thursday, April 25, in Maryville, several TEA staff, Blount County Education Association members, and the TRTA Executive Director recently attended the BBQ supper to honor Blount County Schools employees. The TEA staff, BCEA leaders, and Dr. Williams and his wife Melissa volunteered and served drinks and refilled drinks at the tables for the wonderful event: TEA, BCEA, and TRTA - "Planting Seeds for the Future!" 

Pictured from left to right are the volunteer servers:

Nancy Rolen - TEA Organizer

Tina Parlier - TEA UniServ

Rebecca Dickensen - Blount Co EducationAssociation President

Alicia Adkins - BCEA Member

Dr. Williams - TRTA


 

The Monroe Co RTA meet on Tuesday, April 23rd, at Bert's Family Restaurant in Madisonville. MCRTA President Carol McKenzie called the meeting to order. A beautiful devotional was read, and the minutes from the previous meeting were read and approved. A full legislative update and news from TRTA was provided by the guest speaker, Dr. Williams. The members gave donations for their community projects fund. Some officers stayed after the meeting for a picture with the guest speaker.


 

The Benton Co RTA held a joint meeting with members of the Henry Co RTA on Friday, April 19, at the Country and Western Steakhouse in Camden. There were 25 members and guests in attendance. Dr. Williams was the guest speaker; he provided a TRTA state update and a full legislative update. Members and guests enjoyed a delicious meal.

Pictured from L to R:

Betty Afzali, Benton Co RTA President; Dr. Williams; Shirley Braden, Henry Co RTA President



 

 The Sequatchie Co RTA met on Tuesday, April 16, at the Ewton Annex Center in Dunlap. A delicious buffet lunch was enjoyed by the 28 members and guests. Dr. Williams served as the guest speaker. He provided a full legislative update and a TRTA state events update. 

Pictured from L to R Front Row: Diane Martin, Secretary; Diane Pollard, Treasurer. 

Back Row from L to R: Marlene Basham, President; Dr. Williams; Glenn Edison, President-Elect.

The Fentress Co. RTA met on Thursday, April 12, at 11:30 at El Azul restaurant in Jamestown. The members enjoyed a wonderful lunch and elected a full slate of officers for 2024-2025. Dr. Williams is pictured with FCRTA President Vickie McDonald.

Dr. Williams attended the Roane Co. RTA luncheon meeting at the Kingston Community Center. The members and guests enjoyed a catered BBQ lunch with peach cobbler for dessert! There were about 25 members and guests in attendance. 

Dr. Williams and Pres-Elect Emert met with the Henderson Co RTA for their luncheon on Tuesday, March 12, in Lexington. Pictured with Dr. Williams and Pres-Elect Emert is HCRTA President Judy Sanders (on left) and member Gracie Timberlake. Several recently retired teachers attended the meeting and joined the chapter! 

Thirty-five educators and guests gathered in Dunlap on Thursday to take part in a retirement information seminar hosted by TRTA and TEA.  Dr. Williams served as the presenter.

Dr. Williams spoke at the Oak Ridge Retirement Seminar on Tuesday, Feb. 20th. Over 75 teachers were in attendance!

Dr. Williams visited the McNairy County Retired Teachers on Thursday, February 15th, in Selmer. MCRTA provided Williams with a gift - a McNairy County History and Business "Monopoly" Game! Thank you!

The Sevier Co. RTA Executive Board met on Friday, January 26th, at Applebees in Sevierville. President John Oxford greeted the 12 members, and TEA UniServ Tom Hopkins and TRTA Executive Director Dr. Duran Williams were guests. Legislative Chair Dr. Debra Cline provided information and thoughts on the current legislative session. Dr. Williams added additional comments on the session and an update on TRTA's upcoming events. 

Dr. Williams visited the Blount County RTA on Tuesday, January 23rd. Pictured with Dr. Williams is the BCRTA President Patricia Jalosznski. Patricia served as a local leader in Blount County, and she also served on the TEA Board of Directors and on the NEA Board.