TRTA Staff Reflect on the Stories That Inspired Us Most in 2025
As 2025 comes to a close, the TRTA & ME team took a moment to look back on the stories that moved us, motivated us, and reminded us why advocacy, service, and storytelling matter. These are the stories that stayed with us long after they were published – each one highlighting the power of educators, […]
TRTA’s Longtime Santa
For many in the Texas Retired Teachers Association, Secretary/Treasurer Gary Schepf is known for his service on the Board of Directors. But he also holds another special role in his life: Santa Claus. Schepf first donned the red suit in 1976 while working at Gibson’s Discount Center, a Texas discount store similar to an early […]
TRS Study Reveals Fund No Longer Meets ‘Actuarial Soundness’ Status
The Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) conducts annual actuarial valuations through an independent consulting group. These valuations offer important insights into the health and long-term outlook of the pension fund. The most recent results, presented at the TRS Board of Trustees meeting on December 5, delivered disappointing news for retirees hoping for a cost-of-living […]
A Life of Quiet Confidence and Joyful Service: Celebrating Ms. Helen Tanner
At 95 years young, Ms. Helen Tanner still radiates the unmistakable glow of a teacher whose legacy reaches far beyond her classroom. Retired since 1984, Ms. Tanner continues to represent the spirit of service, advocacy, and community that strengthens the Texas Retired Teachers Association. Her life—and story—offers a powerful reminder of the lasting influence one […]
Lighting the Way for Future Innovators: How TRTF Donors Empowered STEM Teacher Stancey Hubbard-Winer
At Sara B. McAndrew Elementary School in San Antonio, the STEM classroom hums with curiosity. Solar bugs stir to life in the sunlight. Young gardeners rush to check on seedlings growing both in the campus garden and indoors under hydroponic lights. A proud group of “Chicken Tenders” tends to the hens in the school coop, […]
¡Feliz Día de Acción de Gracias de parte de TRTA y TRTF!
At this time of year, we like to reflect on the great things we have accomplished together and show our appreciation to our members, friends, and supporters, all of whom are special to us! The Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) Board of Directors and the Texas Retired Teachers Foundation (TRTF) Board of Trustees are so […]
Spotlight on Support: The Dr. Kate Bell and E.L. Galyean Assistance Fund
This Foundation Month, we are honored to highlight the newest program within the Texas Retired Teachers Foundation (TRTF): the Dr. Kate Bell and E.L. Galyean Assistance Fund. Established to honor two influential champions of public education, this fund embodies the compassion, leadership, and unwavering commitment that Dr. Kate Bell and E.L. Galyean demonstrated throughout their careers. […]
TRTF Scholarships and Grants Assist Active Teachers
Thank you, members of the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA), for celebrating Foundation Month—a time to honor the charitable work of our partner organization, the Texas Retired Teachers Foundation (TRTF). This week, we highlight two of TRTF’s longstanding programs that support active educators: First-Year Teacher Scholarships and Classroom Assistance Grants. The First-Year Teacher Scholarship helps new educators […]
Remembering a Historic Win for Texas Retired Educators and Public Servants
One year ago today, the U.S. Congress voted 327–75 to pass H.R. 82, repealing the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO)—two long-standing Social Security provisions that unfairly reduced benefits for retired educators and public servants across the nation. Nowhere was this victory felt more deeply than in Texas, where thousands of retired […]
Guadalupe Nava’s Journey from the Air Force to High School Principal
For Guadalupe Nava, a lifetime of service began long before he ever set foot in a classroom. After growing up in Alice, Texas, Nava enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1967. He served for four years, including a deployment to Vietnam. When he returned home in 1971, he was newly married and ready […]