Member Profiles

May 2005

Ruth Ann Sweazy

BACKGROUND
I’ve been a K–3 teacher at Spencer County Elementary School in Taylorsville, Kentucky for 14 years. I serve on our state retirement system board, and in 2002 I was one of the 100 teachers who received the Milken Educator Award for the nation’s most outstanding educators.

Why get involved in retirement issues?

I have more than 20 years until I can retire, but serving on the state retirement board has taught me how important it is for Active and Retired members to work to preserve the benefits they deserve. Kentucky has one of the best retirement systems for teachers in the country, and KEA has played a big role in developing it. I teach in the same elementary school I attended, so I know my community and my history well. School employees here enjoy good benefits because we’ve worked actively to secure them, and each generation will have to do the same. We all need to become advocates.

Bob Scalzo

BACKGROUND
I taught for 37 years as a math specialist for grades 6–8 in Danbury, Connecticut I've served as a building chair for my local Association, and as a trustee for Connecticut State Teachers Retirement Board. I've received two Danbury public service awards, one for teaching and one for work as a volunteer firefighter. I retired from teaching in 2003.

How has retirement been so far?

Fun—and busy! I've been a volunteer firefighter in Danbury for 45 years, and now I'm chief of the department. In addition, I serve on the mayor’s task force on homelessness. I also conduct retirement workshops for Active teachers each fall. So, I haven't really stopped working, but my wife and I make a point of escaping to our new house in Arizona at least four times a year. I just took my grandkids on an eagle watch at the Grand Canyon, and I can’t remember a better experience. I've also remained friends with many former students.

Virgie Louis

BACKGROUND
I taught business and finance for 37 years at North High School in Omaha, Nebraska I served on my local Association board and on the Nebraska State Education Association board.

What's the best thing about retirement?

Everything! I work on the NSEA-Retired legislative contact team to keep members up to speed on pending legislation that may affect education—for better or worse. I also participate in our intergenerational mentoring program for new teachers and teach GED prep courses three days a week. After that it’s all family. I enjoy traveling with my husband of 39 years, and I love visiting my two children and my mother in New Orleans where I grew up. Trips to New Orleans aren’t just for pleasure, they’re a must: There are certain types of Southern food I need to eat for survival!