Tennessee Retired Teachers' Association

November 9, 2023--The Maury Co. RTA met and held their regular meeting on November 9 at the Catfish Campus in Columbia. 

Past President Eloise Jones read the devotional. Patricia McClanahan and Mike David, administrators for SHIP (State Health Navigating Medicare) Insurance Program served as the guest speakers. President Eddie Hickman reported on the TRTA Fall Leadership Conference attended by MCRTA leadership. He also urged each member to recruit potential members to join the chapter. 

A reminder was provided to the members about the TCRS data breach, and the letters they received over

the summer about credit monitoring. A brief discussion was also held about House Speaker Sexton’s legislative meeting to possibly reject K-12 Education funding from the Federal government.

--Report submitted by Past President and Planning Chair Susie Boshears.

20223-2023 Service Project--The Maury County Retired Teachers Association’s service project for 2022-2023 was to assist the Mt. Pleasant Public Library with Story Time every Thursday. Members chose books and activities for two to five-year-olds. They made adjustments when older children attended during school breaks and throughout the summer. The retired teachers collectively volunteered more than 80 hours for this project. As a thank you, the library hosted a tea party with tea, finger sandwiches, desserts, and savories. Everyone received a certificate of appreciation.

Photo 1

Volunteers L-R (seated) Dona Rose, Carlene Jent, Beverly Edwards (standing) Marcia Armstrong, Zelia

Dinwiddie, Betty Jo Daniels, Elouise Jones, Scott Gaines

Photo 2

L-R—Elouise Jones, Betty Jo Daniels (Volunteer of the Year), Marcia Armstrong, Janice Buckner 

Photo 3

Library Staff—(seated) Linda Clark, (standing) Barbara Whitt, April White (Librarian), Barbara Keller

December 13, 2023--The McMinn Co. RTA met on December 13 and held their annual Christmas luncheon at the Western Sizzlin Steakhouse in Athens. The devotional was read by member Jerry Howell. Kathy Isbill led the members in a Christmas carol sing-a-long. The McMinn legislative chair shared a discussion (with many

member comments) about funding that might go to private and home schools if legislation is passed to

expand vouchers. Program planning was shared with the members for the 2024 year. --Report submitted

MCRTA Treasurer Brenda Mullins.

October 11, 2023--The McMinn Co RTA met on October 11 at the Western Sizzlin Steakhouse for a lunch meeting. Member Jerry Howell read the devotional. Betty Green representing the Alpha Delta Kappa Educators’ Sorority was the guest speaker. Betty provided highlights of the purpose of the society and the scholarships for district students and collegiate grants. Several MCRTA members belong to the society. Meeting report submitted by Treasurer Brenda Mullins.  

April 18, 2024--At the April meeting of the McNairy County Retired Teachers, members and guests enjoyed a wonderful and informative program titled “Quilts and the Underground Railroad,” presented by one of our members, Linda Smith. Linda is an excellent storyteller who introduced us to the unique way quilts helped escaping slaves figure out directions to travel to safety. She answered questions like: 

“Was the underground railroad really a railroad?"

“Why were the quilt colors drab like brown and green?”

And of course, 

“What did each quilt pattern mean?”

If you want to know the answers you will have to ask Linda or read the book Hidden in Plain View by Jacqueline L Tobin and Raymond G Dobard.

Linda ended her presentation with another unique way to get hidden messages to escaping slaves finding their way to safety. She introduced us to a song titled “Follow the Drinking Gourd”. A hollow gourd was used by slaves to collect drinking water. This song contained a

code which helped escaping slaves figure out the direction they needed to follow to safety. Can you guess which constellation of stars was called “The Drinking Gourd”?

After the program, a business meeting was held. Simms Rhea presented an activity we as a

group will sponsor on National Teachers Day, May 7, 2024. Each school will receive a book to be placed in the school’s library to honor teachers and the selfless work that they do to educate our youth in this county. 

In honor of the active teachers in our county, we also voted on and approved a grant for $500 to be presented to an active educator through the Foundation for Academic Excellence.

Following the business session, the meeting was adjourned.

 February 15, 2024--The McNairy Co. RTA held a monthly meeting and a "Meet and Greet" on Thursday, February 15, at the First United Methodist Church in Selmer. 

MCRTA invited active teachers from the county to attend and take part in a legislative update and information about TCRS retirement.

The McNairy School System was also represented with the assistant school director in attendance. TRTA Executive Director Dr. Williams provided the legislative update and fielded questions from the group. 

Bills from a Money Tree were given away as door prizes, and everyone enjoyed wonderful homemade snacks and desserts after the meeting.

The Meet and Greet was very well attended and a great success.

July 27, 2023-- McNairy Co. RTA met at McConnoco Public Library in Selmer for its regular business meeting and installation of new officers. – Barbara Christopher reporting

June 22, 2023-- McNairy Co. RTA met at McConnoco Public Library in Selmer for its regular business meeting and Scholarship presentation for $500. --Ron Christopher reporting.