As we often say, each public employee has a story. Today’s blog post features the stories of three Arizona retirees and their careers working in public service. 

 

Judy Kennedy, Retired Teacher & Administrator

Career Highlights:  My career highlights include teaching 7th and 8th graders, which was my calling. I often say, “I know what real work is; I taught 8th graders!” I also served as a leader in Teacher Organizations, helping to negotiate on our behalf and an Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources working to improve benefits and salaries for all employees–even though the Legislature never provided enough funding to make it a reality. The last highlight–being able to retire in 1997.

How important is your ASRS pension to you in retirement?  How does it affect your quality of life?  How do you think your life would be different without this guaranteed benefit?

Financial independence is what ASRS provides for me. My quality of life would be greatly diminished since I, as all educators, never did these jobs for money. My life would be different in the simplest of ways, not enough money to live comfortably, travel, indulge my grandchildren and continue a life of service.

 

Judith Weber, Second Grade Teacher

Career Highlights: All of my years of service in public education have been in Arizona.I was an art aide and teacher’s aide for six years at Madison Heights School in the Madison Elementary School District. After getting my BA degree in Education, I taught second grade for 18 years at Orangewood School in the Washington Elementary School District. I also substituted in the WESD for a few years after I retired in 2014.  

One of the high points of my career was when I was awarded the “Share the Excellence Award” from Madison School District. Another high point for me was when I received positive notes from parents complimenting me on my teaching.

How important is your ASRS pension to you in retirement?  How does it affect your quality of life?  How do you think your life would be different without this guaranteed benefit?

My ASRS pension is extremely important to me because it has afforded me the opportunity to be a caregiver to my mom. I know each month I am guaranteed this payment. Without this guaranteed benefit, I would have to work and that would affect not only me, but what I am able to do for my mom.

 

Mary Weber, Retired Library Coordinator, Support Staff

Career Highlights: I am the mother of four daughters, all of whom worked in Phoenix, Arizona.  Three of my daughters became public school teachers and one an art aide and aide to special needs students. I started working in the Madison School District when my youngest daughter was in seventh grade. I worked 16 years as a classroom aide and as the school library coordinator in the media center at the Madison District Office. After retiring in 1992, I volunteered at Ocotillo Elementary School in the Washington Elementary School District, the school my daughters graduated from. The high point of my career was being able to help students.

How important is your ASRS pension to you in retirement?  How does it affect your quality of life?  How do you think your life would be different without this guaranteed benefit?

My pension is very important to me. It has enabled me to travel, to be with my family, and to enjoy my retirement.