The Truth About
Retirement by Rita Zigas-Brown
CMEA Retired Members Representative
Hello, and happy summer, my friends and colleagues! I am Rita Zigas-Brown, your newly appointed Retired Members Representative. It is wonderful to be involved with CMEA again after years of serving on the Bay Section Board, including my sixyear term as President. I look forward to collaborating with you while we reflect on our careers and brainstorm together on how we might be able to reach out and support those still on the front lines in the classroom. What can I say about retirement? It is fan-freak-in-tas-tic! I always knew that being a teacher had its rewards in so many ways; some more obvious than others, of course, and yes, the profession also carries some baggage, stress, worry and fatigue. However, getting to the finish line is a glorious, glorious feeling, and deliciously rewarding. Let me share my journey to retirement. I feel so very fortunate to have held two full time positions during my thirty-four year career. I started out in Novato (Marin County/Area I) at San Jose Middle School from 1987 to 2005 where I taught three wind bands, a jazz band and a choir. I moved to the east bay in 2005 and taught at Walnut Creek Intermediate School in Walnut Creek (Contra Costa County/Area III) from 2005 to 2021 where I taught four wind bands, a jazz band and a string orchestra. It had been my intention to retire in 2021 since 2016; it was not my intention to retire during COVID. However, after three months of 100% distant learning and providing enrichment materials at the end of the 2019-2020 school year, I was looking forward to being back with my students for the final school year of my career. Alas, the pandemic threw us a curveball and my last year consisted of teaching content on Zoom, then moving into hybrid classes, teaching outside in the parking lot, teaching simultaneously on Zoom and in person, and a year of block scheduling. 2021 was
my target date and I was more than ready! Departing during a pandemic was less than celebratory, but it was my plan, and I was sticking to it. I am extremely fortunate to be married to a music educator who also chose to retire in 2021 after a thirty-four year career, so we get to enjoy retirement together! It is just another perk! We are blessed to have our good health, as well as a youthful and optimistic outlook to our next chapter together.
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CMEA Magazine
