Lincoln County RTA
November 2023--The Lincoln Co RTA has Teresa Brown and Will Locke serving as their membership team. They
communicate with current and retired teachers.
Macon County RTA
December 5, 2023-- The Macon County Retired Teachers' Association held their annual Christmas brunch at the historic Armour Hotel in Red Boiling Springs on Tuesday, December 5th. President George McCreary welcomed the members and guests, and the blessing was given by Pastor Bengie Blackwell. The Macon County High School Theater Group presented festive holiday songs for entertainment. Member scholarship donations were collected, and door prizes were awarded to conclude the wonderful morning's events.
The Macon County High School Theater Group performing at the meeting.
(View slideshow of meeting.)
1/6
The Macon Co RTA provides THREE (3) $1,700 scholarships annually to local Macon County students (usually juniors) who are majoring in education.
Marshall County RTA
March 2025--The Marshall County Retired Teachers’ Association held its regular Spring Business Luncheon Meeting on March 6 at the Apex Bank in Chapel Hill. The hostesses prepared a wonderful meal with donated funds from Brooks Grocery Store of Chapel Hill.
The legislature, membership, publicity reports were all discussed. A special collection of donations in the amount of almost $500 were made to the Marshall Education Foundation. These funds will be used to award a grant to a classroom teacher in the upcoming year.
Officers for next year were elected with the installation to be made at the June meeting.
Officers Elect for 2025-2027
President: LaDelle Smith
Vice President: Kathy Stapleton
Secretary: Cathy Madeo
Treasurer: Cheryl Keny
Chaplain: Ginger Hardison
Publicity: Marie Williams
The program for the day centered around the memories of the educators and support staff who passed way this past year. Lots of laughter and reminiscing gave a sense of closure and pride for those we remembered:
Karen Holderfield, Jane Aldridge, Pam Wilson, Joe George, Barbara Cooper, Annie Mason, Martha Short, and Vickie Bailey Davenport
January 2025--The Marshall County Retired Teachers have done it again!! We were honored to present 33 teachers at the 11 schools a gift of appreciation, mid-year encouragement, and a happy first day back from Christmas. Thanks to all the contributions and donations, the teachers received either a snow day basket, a $25 gift card, or the very special, famous box of Debra Hileman Cookies.
The winners were:
Christina Mai Allen, Rosalynn I. Conder, Kimberly Jan Salsman, Elizabeth Ann Arrington, Dakota Brown, Martha Jane Russell, Joseph Corbett Bishop, Amanda C. Chilton, Natalie Paige Lampley, Ashley E. Bartlett, Tabatha Christine Carter, David M. Junkins II, Stacey J. Alexander, Jillian L. Davis, Tara C. Stacey, Katherine Blake Alexander, Sara Calahan, McKenzie Ashlyn McDaniel, Micah H. Anderson, Michelle Been, Amber Motes, Kimberly S. Anderson, Mary L. Brewer, Samuel Scott Hubbell, Larry Lavon King, Charles Adams, Henry Danny Pickle, McKenzie J. Anderson, Chelsea Lynn Chambers, Marlena Alexis Ricketts Brewer, Alicia B. Avent, Erin L. Boden, Kelly J. Scott
The Marshall Education Foundation awards grants to teachers in Marshall County. These grants are funded by several organizations and businesses throughout the county. LaDelle Smith, President of the Marshall County Retired Teachers’ Association presented a check in the amount of $700.00 to Laura Carter, Chapel Hill Forest High School Teacher.
A new member is signed up at the December Marshall County meeting.
December 2024--The Marshall County Retired Teachers’ Association recently met for their annual Christmas Business Luncheon. The First Commerce Bank treated the group of 50 people to a wonderful meal catered by Simply Southern Farms. The food was outstanding to say the least! The First Commerce Bank also donated 10 large beautiful poinsettias for door prices. They have been wonderful supporters of our Association for many years.
The retired teachers were entertained by the Marshall County High School Chorus. Under the direction of Mrs. Kaitlynn Wiley, the group of young people sang with great talent a variety of Christmas songs.
President LaDelle Smith commended the members on all their accomplishments and continued dedication to promoting public education. This past year, the MCRTA has collected donations in support of the Marshall County Imagination Library which puts books in the hands of our future generation. Donations were collected and given to the Marshall Foundation to help award grants to our teachers to use in their classrooms for special projects.
At this meeting, the MCRTA once again proved to be a supporter of our schools and educators. Through our Scholarship Gift Drawing Exchange, monies were collected to support our scholarship project. The MCRTA gives out 6 scholarships each year to those majoring in a desire to be an educator.
Donations and a collection of items were also made to assist with our Snow Day Baskets. On Jan 6, LaDelle Smith, Gwen Warren, and Debbie Hileman will go to each of the schools and draw 3 names where the winners will receive either a Snow Day Basket, a $25 gift card, or a box of Hileman’s Famous Cookies.
President LaDelle recognized the continued community support of Barbara Woods in assisting in the decoration of the city Christmas Tree. A list of names in memory of our teachers who have passed way this year will be read at the Lighting of the Tree. Ornaments with their names will also be placed on the tree.
Poinsette’s were passed out to take to our members who are shut ins. The Marshall County Retired Teachers’ Association is open to any retired educator or retired support staff. Our next meeting will be held at the Apex Bank in Chapel Hill, on March 6.
MCRTA September 5th Wheel Money Spin
September 5, 2024--We had wonderful participation of some 36 members of the Marshall County Retired Teachers’ meeting, Sept. 5. The First National Bank did a fantastic job in treating us to a wonderful meal, the Wheel of Money, and a great place to meet. The seniors from the three 3 high schools who served us and welcomed us were especially encouraging examples of our future.
After an inspiring devotional by Carol Helton, we enjoyed our meal compliments of the 1 stNational Bank. The business meeting conducted included the Legislative Report with emphases on VOTING! The Cares and Concern committee pointed out several of our numbers who have fallen, are sick, or in the hospital, and who have passed away. Cards were passed around so the members could sign them, and they will be mailed out to those members.
Membership was increased by one new member who came to the meeting and had a wonderful time. The Back to School from Christmas sign up sheet was discussed for items needed. A $25.00 gift card, a Snow Day Basket, and Debbie Hileman’s Famous Cookie Box will be given to 3 different teachers at the 11 schools on the first day of school in Jan. 2025.
Linda Gupton was recognized for all her hard work in preparing the Membership Directory. Those present received their 2024-25 Directory and arrangements were made to get the others theirs. The Marshall County Imagination Library donation basket was counted with a total of $655 collected. We know more donations will be mailed to this wonderful cause. Ginger Hardison gave a report on how this money is used and the great benefit it is to so many Marshall County children.
President LaDelle gave a plea for someone to please sign up to be the Nomination Chairperson or to volunteer to be the vice president and treasurer. Past presidents and officers tried to be encouraging as well to get volunteers, but no takers at this time.
President LaDelle Smith conducted the program. Our goals for this coming year are to BUILD on Our 3 R’s. - Reward Others, Raise Awareness, Reminisce. If we build on the memories we share, raise awareness of what is going on today, we will be able to build up the rewards we offer to others! She then showed a power point presentationtitled, “You Raise Me Up” depicting some 50 educators from the 1960s to 2020 who have
passed away. The members present were asked to watch and think of one word to describe each educator. Great memories were shared afterwards.
IT WAS A GREAT TURN OUT WITH LOTS OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS! Our next meeting will be December 5th at the Church St. Church of Christ Annex.
June 6, 2024--The Marshall County Retired Teachers’ Association had a very productive meeting on June 6 at the Cornersville Church of Christ.
After a sweet devotional given by Carol Helton, a wonderful meal was provided by the CB & S Bank to 50 retired teachers and guests! The program for the luncheon was the recognition of our 6 scholarship winners!
HIGH SCHOOL WINNERS: Forrest-- Joseph Crockett Green; MCHS-- Reese Lentz; CHS-- Lillie Newton; COLLEGE JR/SR WINNERS-- Courtney Burrow, UT Southern; Abbie
Woodard, University of TN Martin; Abby McGehee, University of TN Chattanooga.
After the program, President LaDelle Smith gave her report.
President’s Report:
-June 11th I will be representing us at the TRTA Rep. Assembly meeting
-Alex MacGillis (an award winning Am journalist with the ProPublica Investigated journalist for New York Times, The Atlantic, Washington Post, Baltimore) interviewed Jackie Albernathy, Gwen Warren, and myself regarding the effects of vouchers on rural America
-TCRS pay raise - we will be getting a 3% Cost of Living increase in our July Check
-Some of the Executive Bd members and the Scholarship Committee members met with Sara Miller. She is giving us a $25,000 donation in memory of her mother for a Roberta Mason Scholarship. This money will be available at the first of the year.
-Renew Membership: Encouraged to sign up for check deduction.
-25 letters were mailed out to potential members- One New Member signed up!!
-Update communication information for the directory. Also, please sign up for committees for the upcoming year.
-Our Theme for the 2024-25 year is: BUILD ON OUR 3 R’S.
OUR 3 R’S REWARD OTHERS -Imagination Library, Scholarships,
Teacher Grants
RAISE AWARENESS -Increase PR in the community
REMINISCE -Indulge in enjoyable recollection of past events
So, our goal for next year is to BUILD on Our 3 R’s. If we build on the memories we share, raise awareness of what is going on today, we will be able to build up the rewards we offer to others!
March 7, 2024-- The Marshall County Retired Teacher Association held its business meeting on March 7, 2024. The Apex Bank of Chapel Hill provided the decorated meeting room and provided a wonderful meal.
The Memorial Program honored the memories of 5 members: Charles Sellar, Dot Lee, Joie Burgess, Roy
Dukes, Elizibeth Jobe. Also, 7 other teachers and colleagues who passed were also recognized. They were Vivian Sanders, Hugh D. Adams, Pam Warhurst, Frank Edwards, Joe McKinney, Janet White, and Mitchell Johnson. Wonderful stories were shared!
Reports included the success of the Back from Christmas New Year Drawing. Thirty-four educators were given gift cards, cookie boxes, and snow day gift baskets, in all totaling $750. It was an exciting way to say thank you and have a great rest of the year.
An information MCRTA Flyer was presented that was placed at each of the local funeral homes indicating how families can donate in leu of flowers to our organization scholarship fund. We NOW have our 501 c 3 IRS status. This was important to obtain due to a potential donor for a lot of money for our scholarship fund!
President LaDelle contacted the local MCEA, and they have worked out a time and date for a SOLIDARITY MEETING with the Board of Ed, County Commissioners, House of Representatives, and other interested parties. This will be a brief meeting to show our community that the past, present, and future stakeholders are against the concept of VOUCHERS.