This Active Life: Look at What I've Done

Retired Math Teacher Now In the Driver’s Seat

Delaware member Norman Poole taught high school mathematics for more than 30 years. These days, however, you can find Poole in a host of activities: driving a school bus, mentoring elementary children, and leading his state Association as Delaware State Education Association-Retired president. For Poole, it's all in a day’s work as an active NEA-Retired leader.

Why I Volunteer

I volunteer in schools because I love seeing students improve. You see that bright light in their eyes when they open up and learn. And when I sub as a school bus driver, I have a strong respect for the important task these drivers carry out every day. You’re the first person children see in the morning and the last person they’ll see in the afternoon. And you have the added responsibility of carrying this precious cargo to and from school.

I remember one particular boy who wouldn’t stay in his seat. He just seemed anxious all the time. I finally started talking with him and reading with him. He confided in me that he was afraid to raise his hand because he didn’t want to make a mistake. I told him that mistakes were part of learning. This young man followed my advice and improved little by little, gaining confidence as he went. Today he’s doing just fine.

Find your passion and follow it, especially if you want to continue helping children and public schools. There are so many children out there who need a helping hand. My experiences have told me again and again that one person truly can make a difference in the life of a child. I’ll always take to heart the old African proverb, "It takes a village to raise a child." For every retiree out there, there’s a child who will blossom with your help. The experience will not only change the child’s life, but also change your own.

Dedicated to Her Profession and Association

Kansas member Fran Raines thanks her lucky stars for her Association. Joining the Kansas National Education Association more than 35 years ago not only led to a lifelong career in education, it led to a life of Association activism. Here, the retired kindergarten teacher and former president of KNEA-Retired recalls many of the highlights of her profession and leadership.

Being chosen Kansas Master Teacher of the Year in 1976. I was so honored to receive this award from my peers. It told me that all of the hard work, long hours, and commitment to the wonderful children I taught was well worth it.

From the very beginning, there simply wasn’t any question about belonging to the Association. I had mentors who got me involved from my very first year and told me how important it was to be a part of our state and national Association. From then on, I was hooked.

When I first began attending the NEA Representative Assem-blies, I remember feeling so overwhelmed. Here we were, thousands of delegates from around the nation, charting the future of our organization and public education. People spoke passionately, yet at the same time respected opposing views. This was truly the democratic process in action and I was proud to be a part of it.

The last RA for NEA President Mary Hatwood Futrell. We were so proud of her and all she had accomplished for our Association. It was so moving to hear her last speech and to be able to tell her how much we appreciated her hard work.

When we created Kansas NEA-Retired for our retired members. I was proud to be there at the very beginning. Creating KNEA-Retired meant we had an organization that would fight for our issues. Today, we lobby at our state capitol, coordinate NEA ‘s Read Across America activities, and mobilize our members at election time.

Keeping Music Alive

If you have a sick or broken accordion or concertina, the perfect person to consult is Minnesota Retired member Yvonne Marts. Marts, a retired special ed teacher in Fergus Falls, spent nearly a year learning her new trade from a master.

"There I was, a 62-year-old retired teacher joining a 21-year-old student, a 32-year-old graphic artist, a 35-year-old electrical engineer, and 45-year-old machinist," recalls Marts with a laugh. "I was the only woman and the oldest of the bunch, but I held my own in class."

The students learned how to diagnose and repair problems with accordions as well as restore instruments that had gathered dust or had been abused for years. "Our instructor had a Ph.D in musicology and taught us at her level," says Marts. "We learned everything."

Marts is now busy with customers from as far away as Canada and even Norway. "I’ve fixed a lot of accordions that belonged to the fathers of my clients," says Marts. "Some required extensive repair be-cause they were stored in wet basements."

When Marts isn’t repairing accordions, she’s playing them. "Every second Monday of the month, I open my house to anyone who wants to make music or just listen," she notes. "People come from miles away to play piano, organ, mandolin, hammer dulcimer, and, of course, accordions. You haven’t heard anything until you’ve heard the boogie woogie on a bunch of accordions and mandolins."

For more information, E-mail Marts at ymarts@prtel.com.