SPOTLIGHTS
TheLouisianaRetiredTeachersAssociation(LRTA)isfocusedonhelpingmake retirementyearsgreatforformereducatorsacrossthestate,butwhatdoesthatmeanin additiontoadvocacy?LRTAisrevisitingourmottoanddivingdeepertoansweranother question,“Doweworktowardretirement,ordoesretirementbecomeourwork”?Perhaps theanswerisalittleofboth.Inthisedition,LRTAmemberssharetheirstoriesand insightswithus. (Continuedonpage2)
Teachersareaspeciallot.Mostofus havemadecareershelpingtheyouth ofourstatebecomeproductive citizens.Itisnosurprisethenthat manycontinuetocontributetotheir communitiesthroughvolunteerism andcivicinvolvement.
Additionally,itisimportanttonote thatlifecanbefulloffun,andmany enjoytheirfamilytimeathomeor finallygettingthechancetotake thosetripsalwaysdreamedabout butseldomhadthetimetotake.
Whetheryourretirementinvolves familytime,thearts,travel, volunteerism,etc.,youhaveearned therighttochoosehowtomake yourretirementyearsgreat!
Wehopeyouenjoyreadingour retirementvignettes,andperhapsit willgiveyousomeideasonhowyou canspendyourfreetimerelaxingor beingproductive.
Onthepoliticalfront,LRTAhelped defeattwoinvestmentbillsthat couldhaveaffectedTRSL’s retirementreturnsnegatively.More importantly,theAssociationandthe essentialhelpofLRTAmembers weresuccessfulindefeatinga constitutionalconventionthatcould haveremovedimportantprotections forstateresidents.
Highprofilepoliticoscontinueto touttaxreformthatcouldhavea negativeeffectonthemiddleclass citizensofourstate.Wewill probablyseetaxreformbillsinthe spring,andalmostcertainlywillsee anotherconstitutionalconvention billduringthe2025regular LouisianaLegislativeSession.
Someofthesediscussionsinvolve removingprotectionsinthe constitutionforK-12educational funding,retirementsafeguards,and homesteadexemptions.The problemis‘trust’,dependingon whicharticleyoureadormeeting youattend,continuingorremoving importantexemptionschanges basedonwho’smakingthe comments.LRTAanditsmembers muststayfocusedandinformedto knowwhichactionstotake.
Also,itwasspecificallydiscussedat arecentLouisianaWaysandMeans Committeethatconstitutional exemptions(inparticulartosalestax items)couldberemoved.Inthe futurethereisthepossibilitythatwe couldbepayingsalestaxon previouslyexemptedfooditems, medications,internetservices, haircuts,lawnservices,etc.This wouldpresentmoreofaburdenon themiddleandlowerclassesbecause oflimitedresources.
Additionally,ourretirees’exemption fromstateincometaxwas mentionedasapossiblesourceof $122millionofstaterevenue.The legislaturecouldremovethat exemptionwithasimplechangeto thelawduringthenextlegislative session.
LRTAembracesgoodpolicythat benefitsthecitizensofLouisiana butit’simportantthatthese proposalsarewellvettedwiththe
publicandthatourinputisincluded inmodificationstostatestatuteand constitutionalchanges.
ItisimportantthatLRTAandall retireesstayinformedandactwhen calledupontoopposeanychanges toourtaxstructure,whether throughstatuteorthestate constitution,toavoidany detrimentaleffectontheeconomic welfareofthecitizensofourstate.
LRTAwillcontinuetomonitorand informourmembersthroughour newsletters,socialmedia,ouremail club,websiteandinperson meetings.Wenotifyretireeswhen andhowtoactifchangesare presentedatthestatelegislature,as wellastothecitizensofourstate throughconstitutionalchangesat thevotingbooth.
Workinginmytenthyearasthe LRTAExecutiveDirector,I’m pleasedtosummarizeachievements assuccessfullyopposingmorethan 25billsthatcouldhavehada detrimentaleffectonbenefitplans. Additionally,wesecuredtwo COLAsandreformedourmodelto providecostoflivingbenefitsona moreregularbasis.
Pleaseencourageallretireestojoin LRTAtodaytoparticipateinour advocacycampaignstoprotectand enhanceourretirementbenefits.
RodneyR.Watson LRTAExecutiveDirector
RodneyR. Watson
AMESSAGEFROMOUR LRTAPresident
Ah,Retirement!Thegoldenyears! Atimetoenjoythefruitsofour labor,catchuponthingswelove doing,andspendtimewithour lovedones.Weworkedmostof ourlivestobeabletoenjoythe privilegesofretirement.In addition,wejoinedLRTAto “makeourretirementyears great.”Whatmoreisthere?Let’s examinetheideaofpolitical engagementduringretirementas membersofLRTA.Are retirementyearsanidealtimeto beinvolvedinpoliticalactivities?
Inretirement,wehavemoretime togetinvolved;wehavemore experienceandwisdomto contributetowardthebetterment ofourownsocialandeconomic welfare;itisouropportunityto bringaboutchange.Being politicallyengagedandamember ofanorganizationlikeLRTAcan enhancelifeinretirement, providingbothpurposeand support.Formyself,beingpartof anorganizationthatissowell respectedanddedicatedto improvingthequalityoflifeof retireesisagratifyingfeeling.
Furthermore,LRTAis Louisiana'smostinfluentialvoice whenitcomestoeducationand retirementissues.Wehave becomethe"go-to"organization forgroupsliketheLouisiana
AssociationofSchool Superintendents,Louisiana SchoolBoardsAssociation, LouisianaAssociationofSchool Principals,andbothunions, LouisianaAssociationof Education(LAE)andthe LouisianaFederationofTeachers (LFT.)Thesegroupslooktousto findcommongroundonissues thataffectbothactiveandretired teachers.
Thisyearwefacedthethreatofa newconstitution,whichhadthe potentialtoremovethe constitutionalprotectionsofour retirementsystems,andthefunds managedbythesystems.Through theeffortsofLRTA,itsmembers, andourallianceswithother organizations,theconstitutional conventionwasdefeated,andour protectedfundsarecurrently safe—fornow,butitisnotover— thelegislatureisstillinvestigating theprospectofafuture constitutionalconventionor constitutionalchanges.
Thissummer,Louisiana’s SecretaryofRevenuemetwith theStateWaysandMeans Committeeabouttaxreformto replacetheexpiringportionof thestatesalestax.Theylookedat waystoremovecertain exemptionsfromthestateincome taxlikeourTRSLretirement checks,propertytaxexemption likethehomesteadexemption, andsalestaxexemptionson groceriesandmedicines,andeven consideredaddingsalestaxeson itemscurrentlynotsubjectto salestaxeslikedigitalgoodsand services.Thesetypesofactions wouldreduceourbuyingpower byaddingmoreout-of-pocket expensestoourpurchasesinan alreadyinflationaryperiod. Throughourwatchfuleye,this washeldoffbutwillsurelycome upagaininthefuture.
Inotherefforts,wewereableto defeatabillthatwouldhave weakenedtheinvestmentpolicy ofourretirementsystem;theend ofthelegislativesessiondelivered return-to-workandOptional RetirementPlanchanges;in Washington,therepealofSocial Security'sunfairWEPandGPO offsetshaveadvancedfurther thaneverwith324cosponsors. Allsuccessfulexamplesof activism!
Thereare83,000membersof TRSLalone,andwhenyou considerthenumberofother publicretireessuchaspolice, firefighters,andstateemployees inLouisiana,that'spower!We mustadvocateforourselvesand stayabreastofwhatishappening inBatonRougeandWashington. Advocatingforretireesisa commitment.Ensuringthat legislators,thegovernor,andour membersofcongressunderstand andsupportourneedsmakesa significantdifferenceinour qualityoflife.
Politicalinvolvementisserious business,butitdoesnothaveto weighusdown.Itisgreattobe abletokickback,sleeplate sometimes,spendtimewiththe grandkids,haveanevening cocktail,readanovelyouhaveput off,golf,fish,travel—justaslong asweremainvigilant,keepinga watchfuleyeout.
ClydeF.Hamner LRTAStatePresident
ClydeF. Hamner
SPOTLIGHTS
ShiningLightonMembersMakingTheirRetirementYearsGreat!
JeanneBrooks AfterdecadesofteachinghundredsofstudentsinSt. BernardParishandthenworkingacrossdifferentparishes,buildingschools, libraries,andcommunities,formerSoutheasternLouisianaUniversity alumniJeanneBrooksfinallyretired.…twice!Shehadnoideahowherlife wouldchange.OnMother’sDayin2014shelostherhusbandunexpectedly. Sixty-threedayslaterheronlychild,JordanBrooksSmith,succumbedtohis injuriesandlosthislifeafteranATVaccidentwhileondutyasarangerin BogueChittoStateParkinFranklinton,LA.Althoughitwasnoteasy,she refusedtogetlostintheloss.
Inthedarkestdays,thesupportfromformercolleagues,friends,andcaregiversofJordanledtoanideafor Jeanne.“Jordan,aninterpretiverangerandIwerebothteachers,justindifferentways”,shesaid.Surely therehadtobeawaytoleavealegacyincorporatingandmemorializingherson.Thefirststepwas establishingtheJordanBrooksSmithEndowedScholarshipforeducationmajors.
Nineyearsofrigorousresearch,networking,andfundraisingresultedintheofficialAugust2023openingof theInterpretiveRangerJordanBrooksSmithKidsTrailatBogueChittoStatePark.Thetrailisanaccessible children’sexperiencecompletewithincredibleartist-createdanimalsculpturesdesignedforinquisitive minds.Itconnectschildrenandfamiliesthoroughnativefloraandfauna.Eachseasonbringsdifferentviews forparkvisitors.Thefox,acentralcharacterinJordan’slife,istheforemostsculptureandproudlystands watch.
ButchSpradling
Butchworkedthroughouthiscareerasaneducatorhelping severelyautisticteenagersempowerthemselvesinPlaqueminesParish,bothinlife normalcyandpersonalempowermentthrougheducation.Hisexperienceasateacher alsoeducatedhimonadeeperlevelregardingempathyandrespectforthosestruggling withmentalandphysicalchallenges.
Butchhasbeenactivehisentirelife,soretirementwasjustatransitionthatledhimtohis newestpastimehobby,PickleBall!“Itisasportthatiseasyforseniorsandprovidesan avenueforgreatsocialinteraction,”saysButch.
Butchisalsoisaphilanthropistwhocontinuestobeinvolvedineducationinthemost colorfulway.HegivesbacktosurroundingschoolsbydonatingspecialEnchromaglasses forstudentswhoarecolorblind.Thereisashortageofhelpforvisuallyimpairedstudents whohaveneverseenthecolorsredorgreen.Butchsharedthatstudentswhoreceive theseglassesarecommonlymostthrilledaboutexperiencingtheabilitytoseethecolor purple.“It‘softenaveryemotionalmomentforeveryoneinvolved”,saysButch..
RuthGoff
,
Ed
.
D
. FollowingherretirementfromBossierParish,Ruthfirststarted workingoncompletingherdoctorateatage76.Shegothalfwaythroughherdissertationbuthad topausehereducationafterherhusbandsufferedamassivestrokeandrequiredextracareuntilhe passedawayin2017.Ataloss,Ruthstated,“Often,whenwegetolderwebegintofeeluseless, likewearenolongerrelevant”.
However,Ruthisalsoafirecrackerandhatesunfinishedbusinessinlifeandintheclassroom!Initiallyshefeltlikeit wastoolatetofinishherdoctorateandwastooshortonfunds,butshewasblessedto havetheguidancetomoveforwardwithalittlehelpfromherpastor,PaulHarvey.He helpedRuthgetascholarship,andtogethertheyfoundauniversitythatwouldaccepther previouslycompletedcoursehours.RuthAnneGoffbecameRuthAnneGoff,Ed.Datage 78.
RuthpresentlyservesastheVicePresidentofAcademicsandStudentAffairsforabible college.Shedemonstratesthatitisnevertoolatetopickupwhereyouleftoff,whetherit betocontinueeducationforyourselfortoshareitwithothers.
JulieDupree
Julie’steachingcareergotofftoaroughstartinatoughschoolwith littlepay.However,whenherhusbandwastransferredtoBossierParishforwork,Juliegot anentirelydifferentperspectiveonpubliceducation,anditwasatApolloElementary SchoolthatJuliesawwhatpubliceducationshouldbeacrosstheStateofLouisiana.
Herhusbandisafinancialadviserandhelpedherunderstandherpensionwasworth gold.Thereareveryfewcareersthatofferpensionsanymore.Headvisedherto completethe40yearteachingrequirementinordertoearnthe100%pension.In2019 attheageof65with40yearsofserviceinLouisiana,Julieretired.
Withfinancialsavvybackingthepensionshereceives,Juliehascreatedtheopportunitytotravelandvisitmorewith family,whichissomethingshealwaysdreamedofdoing.ShehasbeenacrosstheUnitedStatesandthroughout Europe,exploringandlearningdifferentcultures.HerfavoritetriptookplaceinParis,France,justbeforethe2024 Olympicsbegan.
Lastly,Julieremainsactiveinsupportofeducation,workingwithBossierCityelementaryschools.Sheisalsothe chairmanoftheBatonRougeRetiredTeachersAssociationscholarshipfund,wheretheyhaveprovidedeight$500 scholarshipsinthelasttwoyears.
Obie “Cleve” Hill
ClevefirststartedhisteachingcareerintheGreaterNew OrleansArea.Healternatedhiscareerbetweenthemilitaryandeducation,where heworkedasaschoolteacher,thenprincipal,andlateraprofessor.Hebriefly retiredin2006,butwasnotreadytosettledownandmadethedecisiontogo backtotheclassroom,insteadofthemilitary.
“Idonothavetowork;Iwanttowork.Mysuggestiontootherretireesissimple.If youhavesomethingtooffer,thenshareituntilyoucannotwithwhateverthatmay be.AslongasIamproductive,Iwillneverretirefromeducation.Iamaneducator andweoftenimploreothereducatorstobelifelonglearners.Ialsowanttoaddto thatequation.Ithinkofeducatorsaslifelonglearnerswhoalsowanttobelife longcontributors”,saysCleve.
MaryJaneClark
MaryJane’steachingcareertookplacefrom1976to2012, revolvingaroundK-6students,teachingthemlanguageartsandmathematics.Throughout hercareerintheGreaterNewOrleansAreaandBatonRouge,shemovedacrossseveral schoolsystems.Uponherretirement,MaryJane’sfirstprojectwasverycreative andsentimentalofthetimeshespentworking.MaryJanecreatedaquiltoutof t-shirtsfromeveryschoolshewaseveremployedat.Herworkofartiscalled, “TheRetirementQuilt”.
Forevercuriouswithadeepfocusonfaithandwellbeing,MaryJaneisalways findingthingstokeepheroccupied.Thesedaysyoucanstillfindherteaching, butatVacationBibleSchool.Additionally,shehastakenastronglikingto practicingchairyoga,whichhelpshermaintainflexibilityandbalance,whilealso buildingrelationshipswithfellowstudents.
Also,aloverofthearts,MaryJanecontinueshobbiesshehasalwaysenjoyed, suchasscrapbooking,knitting,andcrossstitch.Evenmore,MaryJanehas becomeagamer,participatinginCanasta,Pokeno,andBunkowithfriendsshe hasdevelopedthroughyoga,churchandotheractivities.“Socialization,alongwithkeepingmybrainsharp arebenefitsofplayingthesegames.It’sfun!”
TimCockerham
Neverboredasakid,Tim’slifeafterretirementisnodifferent. Heisthetypeofpersonwhoknowshowtoenjoyhisowncompany.Helikesto spendhismorningsputteringaroundhis5-acreyardinsouthwestMississippibefore returningtotheblessedreliefofA/Ctocooloffandenjoyagoodread.
Asaformereducatorwhotaughtsocialstudies,Englishandmath,Timisalsoa writer.Hecontinuestoworkonhiswritingprojectsandisdeterminedtofinishthem alongsideafewnapsinbetween.
Lovinglifeinthecountry,heenjoyscuttinggrass,tendingagardenandridinghistractor.Henotesthatitmay soundmundane,butthereissomethinginherentlysatisfyingabouttheseactivitiesandnothavingtothink toomuchorberesponsibleforanything.NextonTim’slistisaportablesawmill!Heisintheprocessof buildingashedtoaccommodateit.“Thehealthfuleffectsandthepeaceandquietoflivinginthecountry cannotbeunderestimated,”Timshares.
RichardHaneline
Followinghiscareerasaneducatorinmathematicsin OuachitaParish,Richardchooseshistimeasaretireetohelphisextendedfamily andiswellknownforhisvoiceinthechoirathischurch.However,hispassionlies withahobbynotcommonintoday’sworld.Richardrestoresantiques,specifically radiosandfans.Evenduringhistimeasaneducator,Richardcontinuedtocollect antiquesandhasbeendoingsoforthepast50years.Hecandissect,rebuildand re-purposetheseantiques,whichhecontinuestodoinhisretirement.Nothingis everbrokeninRichard’smind.Everythingisanequationofpartsonlytobestudied andsolved.Hehasbeenstudyinghisentirelifeandisamasterofhistrade.Hetookhisloveoftinkeringand figuringoutsolutionsintoteaching.Heappliedhisknowledgeofsolvingpuzzlesthroughmathematicsto
MaryRobinsonPH. D
.
Afterforty-sixyearsfromtheclassroomtothe
boardroominCaddoParish,Marystartedanewchaptercalled RETIREMENT andwitha moreprofoundzealtobeofservicetoothers.SheconsultedasanHumanResources professional,CourtAppointedSpecialAdvocate(CASA),parenteducatorandcitysupport employee.
Marybecameactivelyinvolvedinalitanyofcommunity,socialandcivic organizations,servesonseveralnon-profitboards,participatesintheyouthmedia andmusicministriesatherchurch,butstillfindstimetoexercise.Sheenjoys walking,cycling,wateraerobicsandlovesline dancing.Sheislearningtoplaypiano,traveling more-enjoyinggatheringswithfamily,friends, andespeciallywithherhighschoolclassmates.
SheiscurrentlyauniversitysupervisortoLSUSstudentteachers pursuingmiddleandsecondarycertificationsandisecstaticabout growingnewteachers.Itkeepsherconnectedtotheprofessionand callsit,“herdivinecalling.”
MaryisNANAtotwogrands.
Shesuggests,“Identifysomethingyouwantedtodobutneverhadthe time.Doitanddotravel.PlansomethingSPECIALannually.”
DonnaNola-Ganey
Followingherretirementin2012fromEastBatonRougeParish,Donna joinedabookclubmadeupofretiredLouisianateachersandprincipalswhowantedtocontinuetheir adventuresinreadingandlearning.Noteveryoneisinapositionto beabletotravelacrosstheglobe.Thisgroupcombinestheir collectiveloveofbookswithinterestintravel,foodandartby readingaboutdifferentcultures.Theysometimesmeettheauthors ofthesebooks,travelingtolocalestoexperienceculturesclose enoughtodriveto,butwereunawareof.Louisianaisameltingpot ofhistoryandculture.Throughthisclub,manyhavebecomedear friendsandahugepartofDonna’slife.
WhileDonnahadanestablishedsociallife,shefeltthecallingto returntoeducationthroughanopportunityasasubstituteteacher thatworkedwith3rdgradeboysdiagnosedwithlearning disabilities.“Workingwithsuchasmallgroupofstudentsallowedmetoprovidemuch-neededindividual instruction,anadvantagethatregulareducationteacherswith25-30studentsdonothave.“
Herdedicationandtimespenttowardsteachingtheseboysledtoasuccess.Shelaterlearnedthatallsixof themscoredapproachingbasictoMasteryonboth3rdgrademathandELALEAP(nounsatisfactoryscores) andoverallonLEAPtherewasa16%increaseinmasteryfortheseboys.“Itwassuchajoytohavehadthe opportunitytoworkwiththe3rdgradeteachersandchildren,andIfeelblessedthatIwasabletomakea smalldifferenceintheirsuccesses,”saysDonna.
Herstoryisatestimonythatittakestimewithachild,nomattertheiremotionalorintellectualabilities,to makeprogress.
LRTA
ExecutiveBoard
President ClydeF.Hamner clydehamner@bellsouth.net
PastPresident
LazetteL.Watterson lazettewatterson@gmail.com
FirstVice-President GenevieveA.Gordon alandgen1945@gmail.com
SecondVice-President AlvaJ.Martin alvamars@bellsouth.net
DistrictIPresident Dr.LevonLeBan levonleban@yahoo.com
DistrictIIPresident WilliamR.Picard,II wpicard@cox.net
DistrictIIIPresident GayleT.Foster fosterscorner@yahoo.com
DistrictIVPresident BarbraraL.Davis boldavis95@yahoo.com
DistrictVPresident PatsyHebert patsyheber1968@gmail.com
DistrictVIPresident EdithS.Keys keysedith@yahoo.com
DistrictVIIPresident SueR.Sandifer suersandifer@yahoo.com
DistrictVIIIPresident ChrisNolen chrisnolen61@gmail.com
DistrictIXPresident LeandraMitchell lmitch1977@yahoo.com
DistrictXPresident BeckyS.Solley mommasolley3@yahoo.com
DistrictXIPresident EmmaL.Shepard,Ed.S. ladyemshep1@aol.com
TRSLBoardofTrustees: ClydeF.Hamner clydehamner@bellsouth.net
JamesA.Taylor,Sr.,J.D.,Ph.D. edleaders@bellsouth.net
AARPLouisiana MarthaHays mlhays@centurytel.net
ErmelleMartinez Familymembersfirst recommendededucationtoErmelle,considering heroriginalbackgroundinmedical,scientificand researchtraining.Originally,shetaughtBiologyin OrleansandJeffersonParishes,whileacquiringan M.EdfromLoyolaUniversity.
In2015,Ermellereacquaintedwithanadolescent peerfromNewOrleans,aVeteranandretired/ injuredPoliceOfficernamedChristopherMercadel,Sr.Hesharedthathe hadunseenandexpertlycapturedfootageandinexcessof3,000images ofhisrescuemissions,initiatedthemorningofHurricaneKatrinafrom 2005.ThisinformationledErmelletoretirefromteaching,andshebegan anewcareerworkinginthefilmindustry.
Collaboratingtogether,thedocumentarytitled,"WhoWeAreHurricane Katrina"wascreated.Thefilmacquiredbestnominationsinseveral categoriesattheSouthamptonFilmFestivalandevenreceived acknowledgmentsfromformerpresidentBarackObama.Modifiedfilmsare aTrilogy."ResilientValor"acquiredtheSocialActionawardattheEssence Filmfestival."PTSDResilientValor"wonthe"SelfDetermination"award fromtheKwanzaaFilmFestivalandisintheOrlandoInternationalFilm Festival.Sheaspiresthatheroesarehonoredfortheirchivalry,valorand humanityandthatDistributorsmarketTrilogy.Feedbackfromviewersand criticsalikebeganaskingthequestionofwhythemeninthesefilmshave notbeenrecognized.Shehas repeatedlywrittenandcalledrepresentatives andgovernmentaloffices,tonoavail.“Iamhopingthatassociatesand memberswilldirectustoagencies/peoplewhowillrecognizetheseheroes”, shestated. Learnmoreabouttheseprojectsat www.whowearedocumentary.com
WelcomeFrancineKing!
Pleasewelcomeournewestmembertotheteam,Membership ServicesCoordinator,FrancineKing.Shehasextensiveexperience workingwithteachersandlooksforwardtoassistingyouinyour retirementyears!
“LaissezLRTARouler!”
LouisianaretirededucatorsareinvitedtoattendtheLRTAStateFall MeetingonOctober28-29,2024.Themeetingwilltakeplaceatthe CourtyardbyMarriott,locatedat142LibraryDrive,Houma,LA70360. Registrationopensat12:00noonMonday,October28,withpreregistrationpacketpickupavailable.
LRTAwillholdavarietyofinformationalsessions,includingspecial speakers:RepresentativeLarryBagley,TRSLExecutiveDirectorKatherine Whitney,andHoumaWildlifeMuseumDirectorJonathanForet.Wewill presenttheNameofFameawards,honorlocalunitsthatearnedUnit Challengeawardsandwillhaveanotherwackyhatcontest!Weare celebratingLouisianabayoucultureandwillhaveasmallfaisdodotosee whowearswhathatthebest! “LaissezLRTARouler!”
LocalsponsorsareofferingacomplimentarybreakfastonTuesday,October29from7:00-8:30AM.This willbeheldattheTerrebonneParishLibrary,acrossthestreetfromtheMarriott.Pre-registrationisrequired. Usetheformonpage12ofthisnewslettertoregisterforthestatefallmeeting.Attendeesmustpre-register fortheTuesdaynightbanquetbyOctober 15.Althoughon-siteregistrationisavailable,pre-registrationwill ensurethatyouwillreceiveapacketcontainingyournametagandothermeetingmaterialsuponarrival.
LRTAandTheCourtyardbyMarriottareofferingaspecialhotelroomrateat$99/pernight. ThecutoffguaranteedateforthisspecialrateisOctober11.Toreservearoom,callthe CourtyardbyMarriottat(985)223-8996,andmentioncode RTAN, or scantheQRcodeto bookyourhotelroomonline.
Formoreinformationregardingtheeventscheduleandregistrationpleasevisit LRTA.net/ fallmeeting/ .Wehopetoseeyouthere!
INMEMORIAM
DeceasedRetiredTeachers
May29,2024toAugust27,2024
DistrictI
GloriaAcosta–Violet
LouAnnAlbritton–NewOrleans
OdeliaD.Allen–NewOrleans
JamesRussellAmdal–New Orleans
WrophasK.Baker–NewOrleans
GloriaM.Battiste-NewOrleans
JoyceA.Bell–NewOrleans
MargueriteJ.Benberry–New Orleans
JeanA.Benjamin-Vappie–New Orleans
CatherineS.Blackburn–New Orleans
KevinL.Charpentier–New Orleans
JaniceClay–NewOrleans
RichardCusimano–NewOrleans
DoraG.DiEugenio–NewOrleans
KathleenS.Gahr–NewOrleans
JoyceT.Gill–NewOrleans
OliviaA.Gresham–NewOrleans
BonnieT.Gurtner–NewOrleans
SylviaE.Joseph–NewOrleans
JamesW.Lewis–NewOrleans
GracieW.Melson–NewOrleans
HerbertMitchell–NewOrleans
ManuelitaH.Mitchell–New Orleans
CarleeW.NevelJr.–BelleChasse
CarolynM.Nielsen–BelleChasse
LindaR.Roberts–NewOrleans
LolitaG.Rochon–NewOrleans
BettyPhillipSeverin–New Orleans
DebraG.Shropshire–New Orleans
IsabelleSias–BelleChasse
FrancesM.Skinner–NewOrleans
GertrudeP.Taylor–NewOrleans
EuniceA.Terrance–NewOrleans
JanetR.Thomas–NewOrleans
KathleenM.Trahan–NewOrleans ValenciaL.Williams–NewOrleans
DistrictII
CarolM.Adams–LaPlace AliciaRecioAldaya–Metairie WilliamAlexander–Thibodaux SheronA.Allemand–CutOff LindaW.Bailey–Gramercy ClaireL.Belanger–Houma
LindaH.Benfield–RiverRidge
JoelG.Bergeron–Paincourtville BerniceV.Berry–Marrero
LeonceP.BordelonIII–Houma
CharlesJ.Bourque–Harvey MaybellineBurdis–Vacherie ElizabethF.Clark–Metairie ElizabethCollins–Houma
ArlehM.Evans–Metairie
KathleenStahlFarrald–River Ridge
EthelR.Floyd–Metairie
AndrewW.Ford–Houma
AnnetteL.Foster–Houma
MarilynD.Franklin–BridgeCity BeverlyFreeman–Destrehan
AdeleP.Gourgues–Hahnville
JaneS.Gravois–Vacherie
GloriaA.Haydel–Houma
CarlE.Hellmers–Metairie
DianneS.Johnson–BelleRose ErnestJohnson–Harvey
RoslynLacrouts–Hahnville
PatrickH.Latour–Metairie
VivianV.LeBlanc–Houma
MarilynMangum–Thibodaux
DarrylJ.Martinez–Marrero
DaleMitchell–Lockport AnthonyNall–Westwego
CharlotteA.Orgeron–Gretna
DanaPerret–Metairie
DaisyB.Porche–Houma
RoseH.Preston–Harvey
MarthaRougee–Thibodaux
ColleenE.Ryan–Metairie
ClarisseSchleichardt–Metairie
GailW.SimmonsJr.–LaPlace
OpheliaJ.Smith–Marrero
RosemaryR.Tafaro–Metairie
AliceM.Terrebonne–Golden Meadow
GermaineH.Theriot–Houma
BeverlyA.Thompson–Harvey
PeterL.Truxillo–Metairie
DonnaP.Verdin–Dulac
EvanE.Walle–Metairie
EllaS.Webber–Marrero
LewisAllenWells–Metairie
EddieWilliams-Marrero
DistrictIII
VictorH.Abel–Covington
DorothyM.Allen–Hammond
BarbaraAnthony–Amite
JoannM.Bakken–AbitaSprings
AngelaBiandolillo–Amite
JudyM.Bone–Slidell
SherylS.Bowes–Covington
RosieP.Brooks–Covington
EllzeyBrown–Greensburg
CarolS.Carter–Hammond
CynthiaD.Cochran–Slidell
RichardW.Cothern–Bogalusa
DarylG.Cruthirds–Mandeville H.AllenCunningham–Tickfaw
AliceR.Currier–Amite
JohnM.Curtis–CenhamSprings
JoyceD.Degrange–Covington
MichaelJ.Dumiller–Walker
VirgieM.Dyess–Walker
MaryD.Edmundson–Folsom
C.B.Ellis–Covington
MaryH.Farrell–Folsom
LoraK.Fendlason–Bogalusa
DonnisB.Fletcher–Albany
MaureenS.Fuzy–Mandeville
SarahL.Gardner–Folsom
JuanitaD.Garrison–Denham Springs
HattieHalford–Springfield
HazelN.Hearty–PearlRiver ElwynHornsbyJr.–AbigaSprings
MyrtisJohnson–Slidell
RobertKnighten–Independence
DennisH.Krieger–Madisonville
WilfredJ.Laborde–Madisonville
JohnL.Magee–DenhamSprings
LauraL.Matheson–Mandeville
AnnaM.Mitchell–Amite
ElizabethM.Oliphant–Holden MarshallPenington–Tickfaw NoraLeePerkins–Denham Springs
MitchellP.Perlin–Ponchatoula LaverneR.Price–Slidell
BarbaraK.Prosser–Madisonville
CarolynJ.Quintana–Covington
RhondaAnnRamos–Mandeville WilliamD.Rouse–Hammond DoloresJ.Russell–Slidell GayA.Saladino–PearlRiver GeorgiaE.Sanders–Lacombe FloraS.Schech–Covington PatriciaP.Scheurer–PearlRiver LincolnLeeSouthernJr.–Denham Springs
DonaldL.ThompsonJr.–French Settlement
BrendaW.Toups–Bush LitaM.Varnado–Bogalusa LynnReidWalley-Bogalusa
DistrictIV
JosephF.Aycock–St.Gabriel BettyS.Bourque–Gonzales RindaB.Browning–Clinton JudyCarter–BatonRouge SidneyJ.Cavalier–Torbert EssieG.Coleman–Baker AllenD.Crochet–BatonRouge LorenaCrook–BatonRouge MaxineS.Crow–Gonzales RosettaF.Douglas–BatonRouge LarryJ.Dugas–Donaldsonville BettyWaltersDupont–Baton Rouge MauriceR.Franks–BatonRouge JudieN.Gilbert–BatonRouge JackE.Gleason–PortAllen LindaA.Green–BatonRouge JoeGuarinoJr.–Glynn MynanW.Guidry–BatonRouge AnnaM.Guillot–Brusly JudithC.Hicks–BatonRouge DorisV.Hunt–PortAllen GloriaM.Jackson–Gonzales VirginiaE.Jensen–BatonRouge EdithM.Johnson–BatonRouge LucilleK.Johnson–BatonRouge HelenM.Kenny–NewRoads SarahM.Kent–Greensburg NeilR.Kestner–BatonRouge VelmaJ.LaBauve–St.Amant MaxineLands–BatonRouge RodneyLemoineJr.–St. Francisville JewellL.Lotten–BatonRouge HazelJ.Lyons–Slaughter KennethM.Maloney–Baton Rouge C.NewtonMatthews–Ethel VidR.McHugh–Zachary KarenS.Mistretta–Donaldsonville MargieM.Montgomery–Baton Rouge RoseJ.Myers–BatonRouge MargaretG.Oatley–BatonRouge HueyL.Perry–BatonRouge MatildaS.Perry–BatonRouge CarolD.Pickens–BatonRouge SandraS.Prewitt–BatonRouge VickiJ.Savoy–GreenwellSprings RaifeF.SmithII–BatonRouge RolandSmith–Clinton JamesJ.Spivey–BatonRouge CliftonE.Stringfield–Baton Rouge JohnM.Tyler–BatonRouge EthelR.Vicks–BatonRouge JulieG.Wagner–BatonRouge DanielWalshJr.–BatonRouge BeverlyB.Watts–BatonRouge
CraigW.Wheeler–Zachary RoederickWhite–BatonRouge ClarenceWillettJr.–BatonRouge DorothyG.Williams–Plaquemine LeannaC.Williams–Plaquemine Gertrudem.Wilson–BatonRouge LynnetteWise–BatonRouge DistrictV
ReneeM.Adams–Kaplan VirgieM.Ardoin–VillePlatte JackieS.Beard–Morrow BrendaF.Billeaudeau–Lafayette MattieD.Buller–VillePlatte JacobH.Byler–Lafayette LeotaD.Castille–Youngsville MaryT.Domingue–Lafayette MarieG.Drouilhet–Duson BerthaD.Duhon–Lafayette JanieM.Dupre–Opelousas ElinorN.Eaglin–Opelousas GlennE.Ehrett–Lafayette DallasFontenot–Lafayette BeverlyC.Fruge–Sunset JudieR.Goodrich–St.Martinville ElwinB.Granger–PinePrairie AliceB.Guillotte–Lafayette ElizabethL.Hart–Lafayette LoisM.Hawkins–NewIberia RobertT.Heard–Youngsville JoanJ.Hebert–Lafayette JudithHodges–Lafayette NormanR.Hoffpauir–Kaplan MarilynM.Holmes–Broussard JoyceA.Jones–Baldwin RichardJ.Kepler–BreauxBridge GloriaF.Lafleur–VillePlatte MarkM.Latigue–VillePlatte PhyllisJ.Lefeaux–St.Martinville CarolynY.Lemoine–Lafayette LindaC.Lomenick–Youngsville JudithR.Lopez–Lafayette CarlaManuel–Opelousas WildaMarceaux–Gueydan DiannaG.Menard–Kaplan TrulaD.Minvielle–Abbeville MarilynW.Mitchell–NewIberia DianaSueMonier–VillePlatte MaryE.Moore–Franklin RaymondW.MooreJr.–Broussard JaneE.Rabalais–Lafayette WildaLeeReynaud–Opelousas PhyllisAnnRivette–Arnaudville MaryD.Robertson–Opelousas MinnsS.Robertson–Franklin PeggyT.Robichaux–Lafayette OralineC.Robinson–MorganCity CarolynC.Rogers–Youngsville CarolynB.Romero–Lafayette TerryRoy–Duson CharlesG.Sherman–Abbeville PhilomenaB.Skipper–Lafayette CaldoniaStaton–Opelousas JamesTatmanJr.–Opelousas JoyceB.Thomas–Lafayette BobbySueThurmond–Breaux Bridge CeasarVeazieJr.–Opelousas AnnetteM.Vincent–Lafayette KathleenM.Wagner–Terrytown DonF.Whittington–VillePlatte GeraldineQ.Wilkins–Lafayette
DistrictVI
PearlR.Airhart–Reeves
GerryBader–Sulphur
IdaMaeBeloney–LakeCharles
EmmaL.Broussard–LakeCharles
VictoriaV.Caponi–LakeCharles
JacquelineChronister–Rayne
MarthaM.Cooper–DeQuincy
LindenH.Cox–LakeCharles
BarbaraAnnDeshotel–Elton
E.OdellDyer–LakeCharles
JanisE.Ehlers–Iowa
LindaF.Etue–Jennings
FlorenceJ.Fontenot–LakeCharles
DellaL.Hebert–Evangeline
LeoA.Hebert–Ragley
MargieL.Holladay–LakeCharles MillardT.Jones–LakeCharles
BrendaL.Judice–LakeCharles
MauriceM.Mueschke–Sulphur
MarieM.Pousson–Welsh
DanielL.Pruett–Sulphur
GwendolynRamsey–LakeCharles
CarolynRichard–BellCity
CarolynS.Richard–LakeCharles
DamarySardina-Edmonds–Lake Charles
MaryL.Soileau–LakeCharles
MyrtleJ.Stevenson–DeRidder
KeithG.Stolzle–LakeCharles
EmmaL.Theriot–BellCity
MarjorieA.Washington–Lake Charles
DistrictVII
ElaineW.Atkins–Tullos
BarbraT.Barrow–Bunkie
MaryC.Brewer–Jena
MoneM.Brouillette–Marksville
DeloresT.Brown–Alexandria
MichaelD.Burns–Pollock
JuanitaJ.Cole–Pineville
VivianD.Descant–Bunkie
DorothyM.Dousay–Alexandria
OddisL.Dunbar–Pineville
AnnetteC.Dupre–Pineville
LarryC.Gaskin–Anacoco
CynthiaP.Golden–Ball
VelmaL.Guillot–Marksville
MaxineW.Gunn–Leesville
BonnieM.Hayes–Alexandria
EvelynE.Hughes–Jonesville
MargaretA.Lacaze–Pollock
JenniferS.Lincoln–Pineville
SusanR.Little–Jena
GladysD.Morris–Colfax
ReedJ.Perilloux–Colfax
GloriaS.Saunders–Alexandria
MelbaJeanSmith–Ball
CarolynSueThompson–Leesville
SandraF.Webb–Alexandria
MarthaV.Welch–Lacamp
ElizabethS.Willis–Pitkin
DistrictVIII
LindaAcklin–Zwolle
ElloiseD.Austin–GrandCane
ThomasR.Bell–GrandCane
WoodrowC.Blair–Winnfield
ImaP.Cowdin–GrandCane
BettyJ.Drew–Natchitoches
LafayeFitzgerald–Doson
JuanitaD.Fobbs–Winnfield
GlendaS.Ganier–Mansfield
BarbaraJ.Hatcher–Winnfield
ArtiaB.Johnson–Natchitoches
FrankMobley–Winnfield
CharlesD.Raymond–Natchitoches
ViolaJ.Street–Mansfield
MargieM.Trichell–Campti
LindaE.Wallace-Natchez
DistrictIX
JohnnieB.Clay–Vidalia
AnneV.Holcomb–Gilbert
DaleP.Jones–Tallulah
BettyM.King–LakeProvidence
JoeL.Walk–Tallulah
CarolineWright–Winnsboro
DistrictX
LarueAllen–WestMonroe
CarolynF.Atkins–Bastrop
ClaraC.Beckwith–Monroe
BettyeH.Carter–Monroe
JudyJ.Cummings–WestMonroe
BonnieS.Desoto–WestMonroe
RonaldF.German–Monroe
VickiR.Green–Monroe
KennethE.Griswold–Ruston
FosterL.Harris–Simsboro
LetaMaeHearron–Spearsville
VirginiaW.Henry–WestMonroe
BettyR.Jeffress–Ruston
JohnnieF.Lang–Bastrop
PaulineW.Lee–Grambling
JeanneH.Lynch–Ruston
MarjorieMcElwee–Monroe
JacquelynMontgomery–Bernice LavonB.Oglesbee–WestMonroe
IrmaS.Pugh–Monroe
MaryV.Satcher–Jonesboro
BobbieJ.FordSlack–Monroe
PatriciaD.Stevens–WestMonroe
CarolG.Swilley–Monroe
JeanH.Taylor–Marion
RonaldS.Thompson–Bernice RotenaWilliams–Monroe
MaryP.Winham–Ruston
DorothyM.Yearby–Columbia
PameliaJ.Yesse-Monroe
DistrictXI
WandaJ.Allen–BossierCity
JamesD.Bates–Homer
SybilW.Beasley–BossierCity
JimmyD.Bennett–Benton
TerryW.Booty–Shreveport
KathleenH.Broderick–Bossier City
HelenS.Butler–Benton
BarbaraD.Caldwell–Shreveport
DorothyCarr–Benton
MarieB.Clark–Shreveport
CharleneColeman–Benton
JerryeL.Crawford–PlainDealing
EdwinaCreamer–BossierCity
CharleneA.Crump–Haynesville
RobertM.Cutrer–Minden
CarolynY.Downs–Minden
BillyDuckworth–Benton
BarbaraEllis–Arcadia
PatriciaA.England–Shreveport
TerenceL.flores–Mooringsport
AaronFranklin–Shreveport
MarthaM.Frazier–Shreveport
MarkT.Galyean–BossierCity
JohnnyC.Gipson–BossierCity
MarthaGormanous–Haughton
MaryK.Griffith–BossierCity
SusanM.Guccione–Shreveport
DonnieM.Hamilton–Shreveport
DavidL.Hardin–BossierCity
EarlT.Haynes–BossierCity
NatalieI.Haynes–BossierCity
CarolynS.Hays–Shreveport
RoseAnnJohnson–Minden
MaureenV.Jones–Keithville
RichardK.Land–Shreveport
LodisA.Landerth–Shreveport
WilliamJ.Long–Shreveport
FrancesL.Lord–Vivian
ElizabethA.Martin–Shreveport
SandraMcCalla–Shreveport
SandraD.McCutcheon–Shreveport
SelineB.Metoyer–Shreveport
JackieP.Mitchell–Shreveport
BettyS.Nelson–BossierCity
LauraDurbinNusbaum–Bossier City
JessieS.Oden–Shreveport
SylviaD.Puckett–Minden
MichaelG.Rash–Shreveport CassandraSanders–Shreveport
LenwardT.SealsJr.–Homer
RosieM.Walker–Homer BethMcGeeWhatley–Blanchard CynthiaJ.Williams–Mooringsport JewelB.Williams–Shreveport
OutofState
LouellaB.Alexander–Seabrook, TX
EddieL.Andrus–Seminary,MS NicholasB.Aubespin–Humble, TX StacyM.Bellazin–Ardmore,OK EleanorA.Bleyle–Osceola,WI MarnellS.Bode–Greensboro,NC SallyBoxBoitnott–Branson,MO MollyR.Bow–Birmingham,AL MaryM.Bradford–Perryville,MD CullyneS.Brady–Freestone,CA PatriciaM.Buck–Vista,CA AndrewButlerJr.–LosAngeles,CA MaryH.Cali–Kemah,TX JaniceC.Carter–Desoto,TX JoyceS.Choate–Brentwood,TN DorothyV.Clark–Frisco,TX SandraH.Coffey–Hutchinon Island,FL MarianH.Colvin–Georgetown,TX RobertA.Counts–Clintwood,VA SandraR.Cox–Pacific,MO WaldenJ.Curry–Bronx,NY GaryJosephCyrex–Sanger,TX RubyN.Davis–Dallas,TX YvonneL.Deen–Ft.Worth,TX F.PrakashDixit–Leander,TX GeraldineDrake–Houston,TX WallacePaulDugas–Bradenton, FL
EulaM.Dunn–Houston,TX CarolS.Eschete–Pace,FL PatriciaAnnFletcher–Baytown, TX
SylviaK.Forrester–Charlotte,NC CarolynGough–Frisco,TX AnnetteC>Guerra–TexasCity,TX RobertS>Hall–Clinton,MS SharonI.Hansen–Vicksburg,MS EarlD.Hart–Gainesville,FL GeraldineW.Hawkins–Killeen,TX GregoryV.Hayes–Bradenton,FL SondraM.Heacock–Clayton,NC KarenL.Herndon–Woodbridge, VA
TynesB.Hildebrand–Flower Mound,TX RalphH.Hines–Harriman,TN RobertW.Holloway–Meridian,ID
EarleneN.Humphrey–Weatherford,TX
PaulK.H.Kim–PortSt.Lucie,FL DanP.KnightJr.–N.LittleRock, AR
JuanitaI.Laborde–Germantown, TN
RalphW.Lange–Milton,FL HermanJ.Lebeaux–LittleRock, AR
AlexanderC.Lewis–Auburn,AL RichardB.Lewis–RoundRock,TX TommieLockhart–Garland,TX SylviaA.Martin–Conroe,TX NelsonO.Martinez–Miami,FL AlbertaW.Matthews–Vicksburg, MS
EmbraC.McDade–MissouriCity, TX
CarmenC.Moore–Dallas,TX DorothyJ.Moore–GoldHill,NC ThomasS.MooreJr.–Clayton,NC EdwardA.Morris–Leeds,AL JoyHanryMuse–Benton,AR NevaC.Nicholas–Woodway,TX JeanneC.Palone–MerrittIsland, FL
Leeam.Pittenger–Columbia,SC PeggyK.Plunkett–Keller,TX MarthaS.Price–SanAntonio,TX CarletonProthro–Mooresville,NC StewartP.Randall–Ft.Worth,TX KayR.Reeve–Louisiana,MO OrethaRichardson–Porter,TX VirginiaC.Robinson–Mesquite, TX
MaudrieRoss–Weatherford,TX BobbieG.Schnepf–Cosby,TN VirginiaL.Sheppard–Pineland,TX LarryD.Shoemaker–Lagrange, GA
PatsyA.Sillyman–Bryan,TX CharlesE.Smith–Kennesaw,GA EdithJ.Smith–Lithonia,GA WilfredT.Springer–Allen,TX ElijahT.SprolesIII–Hopkinton, NH
CharylSteven–Vicksburg,MS DaisieSwanson–Fayette,MS RhodaE.Swanson–Waveland, MS
JoeD.Tatum–Ellenwood,GA PatriciaK,Thrash–Tucson,AZ BlancheTucker–Montgomery,TX KayFrancesTurner–Dallas,TX MargaretO.Valls–Austin,TX MilfordL.Walker–D’Iberville,MS SharonWeber–Tampa,FL EulaPearlWelch–NiagaraFalls, NY
AlbertaWhitaker–Dallas,TX BrendaG.Williams–Pearland,TX GraceWilliams–Humble,TX LulaBellWilliams–RockHill,SC SandraWilliams–Madison,MS PatriciaA.Williamson–Clovis,NM JaneI.Wilson–Cary,NC SarahC.Wineteer–Columbia,MO FaithP.Winston–Franklin,TN KathleenR.Wiseman–Gulfport, MS
2024FALLMEETINGPRE-REGISTRATION/MEALRESERVATION
Pleaseusethisformtopre-registerforthe2024FallMeetinginordertoexpediteregistration.Tomakeareservationforthe conventionbanquetonTuesday,October29,indicateinthespaceprovidedandsendacheckfortheappropriateamount. Eachperson pre-registering/reservingamealticketshouldreturn aseparateform inordertoreceivearegistrationpacket. Guestsmayalsousetheforminordertoobtainaregistrationpacket(photocopiesaccepted).
___Attendanceonly,nofee
___ComplimentarybreakfastforTuesdaymorning,7:00-8:30AM,nofee
___NumberofticketsforTuesdaynightbanquet($25/perperson)=$______________ (ChickenParmesanwithchef’schoiceofsidesanddessert)
Note:Pre-registration/mealreservationsmustbereceivedbytheLRTAofficenolaterthanOctober15.Registrationwillbe availableatthemeeting,however,mealfunctionticketsaresoldbypre-reservationonly.Nomealreservationswillbetaken byphone. NOREFUNDSAFTEROCTOBER21.MailformsandcheckstoLRTA,9412CommonSt.,Suite5,BatonRouge,LA 70809.