For Gwen Craig, retirement was never about stepping away from education. It was about finding new ways to continue making a difference.
Gwen grew up in Pampa, Texas, and later moved to Irving, where she graduated from Irving High School. After raising her family, she returned to school, earning her degree at age 40. She spent 20 years in education, serving as a teacher’s assistant, teacher and elementary school counselor.
Finding Her Place with TRTA
When Gwen retired from teaching, she knew she wasn’t finished contributing to education. In 2010, she was elected to the Irving ISD Board of Trustees, allowing her to continue advocating for students and public education.
That same year, she was invited to attend an Irving Retired School Personnel Association (IRSPA) meeting.
“I went to the meeting and joined IRSPA that day,” Gwen said. “That was in September 2010, and I have never looked back. This was where I was meant to serve.”
Since then, Gwen has remained deeply involved with TRTA, serving as an Officer and on numerous Committees at both the Chapter and District levels. Through TRTA, she stays informed about education issues and continues to find meaningful ways to serve the education community.
From TRTA Volunteer to TRTF Trustee
Gwen’s involvement with the Texas Retired Teachers Foundation (TRTF) began as the TRTF Liaison for District 10. For four years, she worked with Chapter liaisons, shared information about TRTF programs and helped publicize grants and scholarships awarded by the Foundation.
That experience opened her eyes to the breadth of TRTF’s work and inspired her to become more involved.
When TRTF Trustee Mary Jane Hamilton passed away in 2024, Gwen was appointed to fill the position.
“I am so grateful for this honor,” Gwen said. “I love the work that we do as a foundation.”
As a Trustee, Gwen has gained an even greater appreciation for the needs of retired and active educators across Texas. She has seen firsthand how a relatively small amount of assistance can make a tremendous difference for someone facing an unexpected hardship.
“I understand the financial needs that many of our retirees experience and am very pleased to be able to be a part of the solution in helping them,” she said.
She is equally passionate about TRTF’s support of active educators, particularly those using grants to bring innovative ideas and enrichment opportunities into their classrooms.
Seeing the Impact
Some of Gwen’s most meaningful experiences as a Trustee have involved helping retirees facing emergencies that their annuities simply cannot cover. As a member of TRTF’s “A Helping Hand” Committee, Gwen remembers one recipient in particular, a retired teacher who needed a chair lift installed in his car. The assistance he received not only provided greater mobility but also improved his independence and quality of life. For Gwen, moments like this are a powerful reminder of the difference TRTF can make when retirees need a helping hand.
For Gwen, those experiences demonstrate why TRTF’s work matters.
Gwen also treasures visiting schools to recognize TRTF Classroom Assistance Grant and First-Year Teacher Scholarship recipients. This spring, she delivered 13 big checks to recipients in Districts 9 and 10.
“I love being able to recognize educators who are doing things that enrich their classrooms,” she said.
Gwen believes that standing in front of a teacher’s students and celebrating their accomplishments serves an important purpose. It recognizes the teacher’s hard work while showing students that their teacher is a professional who cares deeply about their success.
A Lifetime of Service Continues
Gwen’s commitment to TRTA and TRTF reflects a belief that retirement does not have to mean leaving the education community behind. Through advocacy, volunteer service and the Foundation’s work, she continues to support the educators, retirees and students who have always been at the heart of her career.
“To me, being part of TRTA and TRTF means that I will always have a place in the educational community and that I can continue to contribute to our mission of helping active and retired educators.”
