This Active Life -- November 2002

Member Profiles

Pre-Retired
Michael Marks

Background
I've been an educator for 24 years and am currently drama and debate coach at Hattiesburg High School in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Among my positions in the Association, I've been a local president and president of the Mississippi Association of Educators for four years. I currently serve on the NEA Executive Committee.

Why Active and Retired Members Should Work Together
We're natural constituents. Active members don't always understand why we have to be politically active, and even when they do, they sometimes lack the time. Retired members are a wonderful resource--they know the ins and outs of political activism and they commit the time to make a genuine contribution. When active and retired members work together, we acc9omplish so much more!

Recently Retired
Bob Emery

Background
In Escondido, California, I was a middle school social studies teacher and yearbook advisor and also taught science and journalism. In addition, I served as a middle school librarian for 15 years. I was active in the Association for my entire 36 years of teaching, serving as bargaining chair, grievance chair, building rep, and for three years as my local's first release-time president.

How the Association has Helped Me
It became apparent very early in my career that teachers had very little say in their profession, and that the Association afforded the opportunity to rectify that situation. As an NEA RA delegate for 16 years, I was able to participate in the governance of the nation's largest union. I sincerely believe that active participation at all levels of the Association creates stronger and better teachers because of their enhanced perspective of the "big picture" and their increased sense of empowerment.

Active Retired
Grace Ing

Background
I was a high school English teacher for eight years and a counselor for 21 years, mostly in Mesa, Arizona. I've been a local president and bargaining spokesperson and served in a variety of roles with the Arizona Education Association. At the national level, I've participated in the NEA Board of Directors, the Resolutions Committee, and the Membership Services and Affiliate Relationships Committee.

How I'm Spending My Time
For three years after retiring, I took care of my disabled mother until she passed away. After learning that I was at risk for osteoporosis, I joined a gym and began working with a personal trainer who helped with the exercises I needed to build my bone and muscle strength. Now, I'm helping to care for my granddaughter after school. Helping her with her homework keeps me young, and I can practice some of the skills I learned when I was an active teacher. I am also traveling with family, including my 90-year-old mother-in-law. Caring for my mother really reinforced to me how we need to spend time with our elders, who really help us carry on our sense of family.