Eight Patrick County retired teachers attended the VRTA Spring Delegate Assembly held April 24-26 at the Virginia United Methodist Assembly Center in Blackstone. They were Jean Gilley, Ella Sue Goard, Carol Vernon, Jessie Mae Vernon, Joanne Hill, Phyllis Eastridge, Betty Perry, and Penny Runge.
The highlight of the event was the keynote address delivered by Dr. Stewart D. Roberson. Dr. Roberson grew up and attended school in Patrick County. He received his bachelor’s’, master’s, and doctoral degrees from the University of Virginia where he is now a professor, and he received post graduate certificates from both Harvard and Oxford.
Dr. Roberson had been a public educator for 38 years until his retirement in 2011. He presently serves as chairman/president/chief executive officer of Moseley Architects headquartered in Richmond. He commented that he wanted his second chapter in his life “to include opportunities to provide leadership to an entity serving the public interest.”
His topic was the lasting effects of strong teachers; among the examples used were Erma McKenzie, Fred Brim, and George Rigney, teachers from Patrick County.
Other topics included at the assembly were sessions on Elder Law, Smartphone Use, Calligraphy, VRTA Benefits, VRTA History, The Power of Teachers’ Stories, VRS, and Legislation Affecting Retirees. Nina McClanahan of Grundy was installed as the 2016-2018 VRTA president. Phyllis Eastridge of the Patrick unit will finish her term as VRTA President June 30.
