(Formally the Clark Forest Retired Teachers Association)
History
The Clark Forest Retired Teachers Association was organized May, 1974 as an affiliate member of the Association of Retired Persons. The organization is the local unit of the Missouri Retired Teachers Association and Public School Personnel. The Missouri Retired Teachers Association and Public School Personnel was organized in December, 1960 by a group of eleven retired teachers meeting in Jefferson City, Missouri at the Governor Hotel. The five school system areas represented were: St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Columbia, Lebanon and Springfield.
MRTA Mission Statement: The Missouri Retired Teachers Association and Public School Personnel organized in 1960 is the only educational organization in Missouri working exclusively for retired school personnel. MRTA will work actively with government and its entities for beneficial legislation. We shall strive to increase membership until all retirees become members, and always foster good fellowship. We will encourage members to be involved in community affairs and work for worthy educational causes. Our mission is to serve and not to be served.
MRTA Vision Statement: The Missouri Retired Teachers Association and Public School Personnel is a caring, active, and knowledgeable community. Members give their talents and time to support retired and active public school employees. Members strive to uphold and improve the integrity, value, and mission of our public schools, so that all school personnel may live healthy, vital lives and be secure economically, socially and professionally in retirement.
Charter Members
The Clark Forest Retired Teachers Association (Changed to Washington County Retired School Personnel Association in 2010) was organized in May, 1974 with six charter members.
1. Charles Downard
2. Daphene Cole
3. Josie Orrick
4. Pauline Hopkins
5. Velma Brooks
6. Hester McInnis
Emblem Designs
The “Rooster” design used in the Independent Journal for the Washington County Retired School Personnel Association was designed by Jane Owen Bell, a former member of the local unit when it was called the Clark Forest Retired Teachers Association. Jane created the quilt like mosaic design by using the Tessellation process. Her words were, “We are in a new part of our life and we have a lot of things to crow about, let people know that we are alive”! Jane was a teacher of mathematics in the St. Louis City High Schools for many years; writing and active in educational circles. She completed her teaching career as Department Head at Central Visual and Performing Arts Magnate High School before being forced by failing health to take a disability retirement. She passed away at her home in Potosi, MO on March 2, 1999 after a thirteen year battle with breast cancer at the age of 59.
Fractal Design by Jayne Owen Bell 1939-1999
Retirement-The Dawn of a New Stage of Life.
The design for the Washington County Retired School Personnel Association’s Website was designed by John Tweedie in 2011. John retired from the Potosi R-III School District in 1999 after teaching fine art at the Potosi Middle School for many years. The design shows the outline of Washington County, a school bell, and banner across the county with the letters WCRSPA.
Special Honors
Two of the Washington County Retired School Personnel Association members have been honored by the Missouri Retired Teachers Association and Public School Personnel as Distinguished Retirees for Region Eleven.
Pauline Higginbotham 2001
Pauline Higginbotham received many honors and awards. In 1972, she was chosen Teacher of the Year by the Southeast Missouri Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa. She was Outstanding Secondary Educator of America in 1975. In 1979, The Southeast Missouri District Association presented her with its award for Meritorious Service in Education, received a citation from the Missouri Department of Education for contributions to the Curriculum Development Committee. She was sponsor of the Moses Austin national Honor Society for twenty-five years. Pauline was the State Regional Vice-president for Region Eleven of the Missouri Retired Teachers and Public School Personnel for many years and served on various state committees.
Glen Broombaugh 2008
Glen Broombaugh was selected as Outstanding Industrial Arts Instructor for the southeast Missouri Industrial Arts Teachers Association and recognized for his contributions in education in 1985. After retirement, he served several years on the Missouri Retired Teachers Association and Public School Personnel State Membership Committee for Region Eleven.
