Dearborn Retired Teachers Celebrate Statewide Honors

Any retired Dearborn County teachers are eligible to join the group.

Associate Members Joe Middendorf and Mark McGranahan delight in their Volunteer Service Awards. Photo provided.

(Dearborn County, Ind.) - The Dearborn County Retired Teachers Association (DCRTA) celebrated several statewide IRTA honors at their spring meeting on June 16 at Greendale Middle School.

Janet Hart, longtime teacher at Aurora Elementary School, received the coveted AMBA Service Clock (Area 10) for her superior volunteerism. She recorded 378 hours of community service working with the DCRTA Sewing Club, various committees at her church, teaching for The Good News Club, working at the Dearborn County Recycling Center, and as a board member of the Riverview Cemetery. Member Community Service

Chairwoman Jo Sloan also honored Associate Members Mark McGranahan and Joe Middendorf who are not retired teachers but rather strong supporters of education and teachers. Members Christelle Middendorf, Gene Cleary, and Cherie Rump were also honored for their community service. Sloan remarked that the DCRTA continues to lead the state in volunteer hours completed. Also, President Sharon Moder and Member Ron Nicholson were honored for Outstanding Social Media presence and Outstanding Press Releases, respectively.

As well, Past President Judy Mosier honored longtime member Gerry Barber for her founding of and service to the Sewing Club, a dedicated group of DCRTA members who meet weekly to sew dresses and shorts for underprivileged children around the world, ranging from Africa to South America to the Caribbean and beyond.

It was announced that Southeastern Indiana United Way is seeking more retired teachers as instructors for the Al’s Pals school-readiness program which offers instruction to children ages 3-4 who do not attend preschool. Member Lucinda Campbell spoke about her experiences as a current instructor and about the program’s growth potential.

With more than 50 members in attendance and after a delicious picnic style meal catered by Phyllis Kneuven, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the meal prayer, the group voted to award two $500 teacher grants for classroom enrichment.

President Moder also announced that the group’s service project this year is collecting books, coloring books, and crayons for Cincinnati Children’s Hospital’s Acute Cardiac Care Unit.

The next meeting will be held on August 18 at 5:00 P.M. at Greendale Middle School. Any retired Dearborn County teachers are eligible to join. If interested, contact President Sharon Moder at mrsmoder@gmail.com. The group is an affiliate of the Indiana Retired Teachers Association.