Lifelong Educator and Union Leader Wins NEA-Retired’s Highest Award
“My best thing was being a teacher, and my second-best thing was being a local president,” says Susie Jablinske, reflecting on her 50-plus years working in public education. “Because that’s where the action is.”
The recipient of the 2026 Distinguished Achievement Award, NEA-Retired’s highest honor, Jablinske’s began her teaching career, in 1965, as a junior primary teacher in Washington, D.C., before moving to Anne Arundel County, Maryland, where she taught first grade. Eventually, she stepped into leadership positions such as president of the National Council of Urban Education Associations and president of the Teachers Association of Anne Arundel County (TAAAC). She currently serves as vice chair of the Maryland State Education Association Retired (MSEA Retired) Advisory Council.
In the late 1970s and 80s, when negotiated contracts for educators were repeatedly unfunded, Jablinske joined a yearlong community organizing effort—as both a union member and local president—to change this unfair equation.
Through demonstrations, public engagement, and determination, they landed an unprecedented agreement that secured a fully funded three-year contract and higher salaries.
She has also been a pillar of her community over the years. For example, in 1998, she participated in a grassroots community effort that helped elect a pro-public education county executive, who later helped strengthen the TAAAC.
When nominating Jablinske, MSEA Retired Advisory Council Chair Julia Hinton-VanHook praised her for “consistently demonstrating her commitment to guiding and mentoring retired teachers.”
Today, Jablinske’s service continues, often facilitating workshops during the annual NEA-Retired Conference.
How does she feel about receiving the honor? “I was so shocked!” Jablinske says, adding that she didn’t think she had done anything out of the ordinary.
But Hinton-VanHook says other-wise, noting Jablinske’s “unwavering dedication and commitment,” to service through education.
Retired Educators Turn Holiday Traditions Into Educational Opportunity
Each December, the Wadsworth Atheneum, in Hartford, Conn.—the oldest continually operating public art museum in the country—transforms into a winter wonderland. The Festival of Trees and Traditions runs for 10 days in December and displays decorated trees, menorahs, wreaths, or centerpieces donated by community members. Visitors can purchase the decorations, with all proceeds going to the museum’s educational outreach programs.
Connecticut Education Association-Retired (CEA-Retired) members participated in the event for the first time last year. They adorned their tree, themed “An Apple for the Teacher,” with lights and some 150 wooden apples (at right). This year’s theme? “I’m With the Banned.” The tree will be decorated with books that have been banned from public schools. The group’s president, Mary Beth Lang, noted that the project allows them to support education—and it’s fun!
Election results
Meet the New and Returning NEA-Retired Leaders.
At the NEA-Retired Annual meeting this summer, delegates elected new leaders and reelected several leaders to a second term. Congratulations to all the winners, who took office on September 1.
President
Anita Gibson, Alabama Education Retirees Association
Secretary
Brenda Hare McGown, Virginia Education Association-Retired
Executive Council
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NEA Board of Directors
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NEA Board-Alternates
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Which NEA-Retired state affiliates are growing the fastest? Find out here!
NEA-Retired’s membership is growing strong, with a total of 338,509 members! At the 2026 NEA-Retired Annual Meeting, Membership Committee Chair Brent McKim presented awards to the Retired state groups with the largest membership increases, as follows:
The Retired state group with the largest numerical membership gain is the Michigan Education Association-Retired with 1,707 new members. This year’s runner-up is the California Teachers Association/NEA-Retired, with 681 new members.
The Retired state group with the largest percentage increase is the Utah Education Association-Retired, with a 19 percent increase. The runner-up is the Florida Education Association-Retired, with a 5.25 percent increase.
The 2026 NEA-Retired “Tom Wellman Spirit of Membership Award” was awarded to the Georgia Association of Educators-Retired (GAE-Retired) for their successful register-to-vote campaign. The group distributed posters to high schools and colleges, urging students who are at least 17.5 years old to register to vote. Similar posters encouraging adults to vote were posted in places educators gather in schools and in hair salons, coffeehouses, and other public spaces. All posters included GAE-Retired branding to raise awareness about the organization. The award recognizes local chapters who have built innovative programs to grow membership and engage members.
