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Darla Ellett, Executive Director for Student Support Services (TRIO) and the McNair Scholars Program at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, was the speaker for the Bryan County Retired Educators January meeting. Photo provided
January winds have been chilly, but Bryan County Retired Educators displayed their warm hearts at their January meeting. Brenda Calahan, Southeast District Director of Oklahoma Retired Educators, advised members of several important dates in the upcoming months. Monday, March 11, is Senior Day at the Oklahoma State Capitol. Registration of OREA members begins at 8:30 AM. On this day, senior citizens may meet with Senators and State Representatives concerning teacher retirement issues and current education concerns. Elections for OREA state officers are this spring. Ballots to local delegates will be mailed by April 1 and are to be returned to the state office by May 1. The fall OREA state convention is slated for October 7-8 in Edmond OK.
Ms. Calahan also gave a state legislative update. Two cost of living adjustment (COLA) bills are still viable this legislative session: HB 1277 would provide a 2% increase to teacher retirement benefits and HB 1290 proposes a 4% COLA increase. Ideally, retired educators hope the legislators will create a recurring cost of living increase. OREA would also like to see an increase of the state income tax exemption on retirement income. Another idea is to increase the supplement from the Teacher Retirement System for health insurance premiums. The last such increase was in 2000.
Keynote speaker was Darla Ellett, Executive Director for Student Support Services (TRIO) and the McNair Scholars Program at Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant OK. To qualify for Student Support Services, a student must meet four criteria: be a firstgeneration college student, show a financial need, document a physical or learning disability, and have an academic need. Benefits and services provided through TRIO are academic planning and coaching, financial aid counseling, financial literacy, major/career exploration, cultural experiences, graduate school counseling, mentoring, tutoring, scholarships and waivers, and teacher certification assistance. Student Support staff acts as a liaison for students to learn how to connect professionally with professors and future employers.
Ms. Ellett also oversees the Mc-Nair Scholars program for prospective academic doctoral candidates. Qualifications for this opportunity are to be an undergraduate with at least one academic year remaining in a bachelor’s degree program, be a first generation and low income student, or be from an unrepresented minority in graduate school. As a McNair scholar, the student also benefits from preparation for graduate pursuits, faculty mentorship’s, internships and research activities, tutoring, and scholarships and waivers.
BCRE members expressed appreciation to Ms. Ellett’s and to SOSU’s efforts to support students with financial and emotional support. Southeastern was founded as a “Teacher’s College,” so this focus on training educators is carrying on a beloved tradition. Retired teachers always have a love for future teachers as well as students.
Bryan County Retired Educators meet every third Friday of the month. Local dues are $10.00. The next meeting will be February 16, 11:00 AM, at Roma Italian Restaurant in downtown Durant.