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NEA-Retired Bulletin Board, August 2023

The latest news on NEA-Retired members around the country

Retired Teacher Helps Students In Nepal

By Abreanna Blose

Ernie Schiller can still recall his second-grade teacher holding up a book that showed a picture of Mount Everest. As she turned the pages, Schiller was amazed to see photos of Nepal and the Nepalese culture and traditions. In that moment, he became determined to visit Nepal.

Ernie Schiller and other volunteers present a scholarship to a Nepali student. The locals painted red tikas on their foreheads, which symbolize goodness.
Ernie Schiller and other volunteers present a scholarship to a Nepali student. The locals painted red tikas on their foreheads, which symbolize goodness. Credit: Ernie Schiller

This dream stuck with him into adulthood and through his 30 years as a high school biology teacher in Iowa. Then, 10 years into retirement, Schiller finally got his chance. In 2014, he trekked through Nepal’s Kathmandu Valley for the first time, including checking out local schools

One year later, a massive earthquake devastated the tiny nation, killing nearly 9,000 people

“Six months after the earthquake, this trekking company kept my email, and they said ‘Ernie, we need help. Everything that you saw on that walk, on those treks. All those schools are gone,’” Schiller says.

So he returned to Nepal as a volunteer, alongside a former student and her family. After witnessing the devastation caused by the earthquake, they worked together to found the Rebuild Nepal Education Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to keeping Nepalese students in school

Nepali students do morning exercises.
Nepali students do morning exercises. Credit: Ernie Schiller

Since that time, the foundation has funded eight trips to Nepal, in which volunteers have helped support education in rural areas. The government has rebuilt most of the schools, but many students still can’t afford the basic supplies and fees required to attend. The foundation gives out scholarships, provides books and uniforms, and even delivers food boxes to families in need. Schiller and more than 150 volunteers have enrolled and paid school fees for some 4,000 Nepalese children in primary and secondary schools and 46 students in college.

“It’s been a huge revelation to work in improving education in a country a world away.” Schiller says.

100-YEAR-OLD SCHOOL SAVED!

By James Paterson
Former teachers David Shrader, Joan Maple, Cheryl Shwager, and Bev Krutz turned an abandoned school into a thrift store that serves Orchard, Neb.
Former teachers David Shrader, Joan Maple, Cheryl Shwager, and Bev Krutz turned an abandoned school into a thrift store that serves Orchard, Neb. Credit: Bev Krutz

In the small farming community of Orchard, Neb., former teachers gave a 100-year-old abandoned school building new life

Last year, retired educators Bev Krutz, Joan Maple, Cheryl Schwager, and David Shrader founded the Old School Thrift Store, where they give donated items to families and organizations in need and sell clothing, toys, housewares, furniture, and appliances to support the shop.

“We hated to see this old school building be torn down,” says Krutz, who led the effort. She explains that when local school districts consolidated, the school building was abandoned. Orchard, a village with a population of 380, took it over in 2022

Abandoned school in Orchard, Neb.

“I think teachers naturally want to help in their community, so this made sense,” Krutz reflects. “We saved the building, found meaningful work for retired educators, and found new uses for material, rather than having it end up at a landfill. And [we] can provide things for those who really need them.”

Sam Evelyn Morgan Rock

Learn more about NEA-Retired

Now more than ever the commitment continues. Learn how NEA-Retired works to meet the needs of retired education employees (like Sam Evelyn Rock from the Chattanooga Hamilton County Retired Teachers Assn in Tennessee at right) and how to join.

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National Education Association

Great public schools for every student

The National Education Association (NEA), the nation's largest professional employee organization, is committed to advancing the cause of public education. NEA's 3 million members work at every level of education—from pre-school to university graduate programs. NEA has affiliate organizations in every state and in more than 14,000 communities across the United States.