I was born in Nebraska but spent most of my formative years in Kansas.  After high school graduation, my family moved to Walla Walla, Washington.  I attended Central Washington University and received a BA in Education.  After teaching in Raymond, Washington for one year, I returned to Central and earned my Master’s in Education with an emphasis in guidance and counseling.  My husband, Dick and I taught in Kelso, Washington for seven years.  We moved to Federal Way, Washington in 1963 and began teaching in the Highline School District.  Dick taught drama and English and I was a counselor at Highline High School for 26 years.  Dick retired in 1985 and became active in the retirees association. I retired in 1992 and decided to join him in this activity.  I was secretary of the Highline School Retirees Association for several years and then became their president for three years.  During that time, we changed our unit name to the Southwest King School Retirees’ Association.  I also served as Chairman of the District II Coordinating Council and chaired the local state convention committee in 2007-2008.   My husband and I had three children, one living in Kansas and one in Kingston.  My son and husband are now both deceased.  In addition to being the news editor for Southwest King, and District Representative for NW-2, I am a member of the General Federation of Women’s Club, Sokico Chapter. 

I was born in Duluth, Minnesota but raised in Washington State.  After being graduated from Cle Elum High School in 1951, I served in the US Navy for four years with tours to Korea, Japan, and the Mediterranean.   I then attended Central Washington University. My first teaching job was in Pullman where I served as a teacher/coach, and principal.  Following an internship with the Bellevue Public Schools I returned to Pullman as Director of Teacher Placement at WSU and received my masters degree in education from there. In 1970, Dorothy and I moved our seven children to Prescott, WA where I was employed as the school superintendent.   Six year later, I was hired as superintendent of the Chimacum School District where we lived for 13 years until I retired in 1989. After retirement, I was active in the local Kiwanis Club, served five years on the Cle Elum city council, worked on various levy campaigns and, most important, the Kittitas County Retired Teachers Association. Beyond the myriad activities of children and grandchildren, I devote my spare time time to three main endeavors: the projects of our Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1373, a superintendent search consultant, and participation in the local and state retired teachers associations. Being a State WSSRA Representative is a big responsibility.  Our association stands poised to positively impact the quality of living of our membership.  I am certain that Mr. Rifenbery, our staff and the sitting board members are committed to achieve that goal.

As a native Minnesotan, Rita graduated St. Cloud State with a degree in Business Education and History.  In addition, she has an extensive background working retail—an old fashioned drug store complete with a soda fountain—and a Minneapolis department store.  She taught in Entiat, Waterville, Omak and Okanogan high schools for over 44 years and is still active in business education associations. As a member of WSSRA, she served on the District 6 Scholarship Committee; as E-5/E-6 Coordinating Council Secretary-Treasurer; and on the Outreach Committee and as its chair.   She currently serves as Outreach Committee Board liaison.

I grew up in Wenatchee and graduated from Western Washington University and received a Masters from Whitworth College. My teaching my career began in South Bend Washington and finished at Central Valley in Spokane 32 years later. I have chaired the Retirement Planning Committee, and Outreach Committee.  Active in my local unit, I chaired the local unit Foundation and was president of the WSSR-Foundation. I have also chaired the E-7 Coordinating Council.  In my local community I have served as a Board member on the Spokane Teachers Credit Union for 35 years. Am looking forward to working with a great Board, staff, and strong Association.

I retired for the final time in 2005, after 41 years of teaching that included two years as a vice principal.  I taught mostly music, band, and choir in six school districts – beginning in Harrington, followed by Prosser, Pasco, Stanfield and Morrow County in Oregon, and I finished with a seven-year stint at Kiona-Benton City SD. When I joined Benton-Franklin, Unit 29, I saw opportunities to serve the organization.  I served as vice president/program director and unit president.  I am now the immediate past president along with assisting the membership director.  I look forward to involving myself at the regional and state levels, and I hope I can be of service to the membership of the E-8 area.

Rita started her elementary teaching career as a kindergarten teacher in Portland, Oregon. She had additional teaching assignments in Eugene and Milwaukie, Oregon before raising her family. Eventually she settled in Shoreline Washington and taught elementary students for 30 years. She was active in the Shoreline Education Association, serving as VP and President for 4 years. Her activities in WSSRA include President of the Sno-King School Retirees, NW-1 Coordinating Council Chair, WSSRA Executive Board and Secretary for the WSSR-PAC. She is active in her community of Lake Forest Park where she is chair for the Lake Forest Park Library Advisory Committee. Reading, traveling and watercolor painting are some of the activities she enjoys. Rita has three children and three grandchildren.

Jo has been editor of the Journal since 2000, with a hiatus from 2006-08. Her undergraduate degree is from the University of Washington, and she holds a master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from SPU. The first half of her career included teaching grades 2-6; then she spent two years in staff development and the last half of her career teaching English in grades 9-12. Jo has been a member of Sno-King School Retirees since her retirement in 1997. She is also publications manager and advocacy chair for the Washington State Music Educators Association and development director for Young Musicians Excelling, its student events fund. She and her husband Bruce, also a retired teacher, love to travel, especially in their motor home. They have been to all 50 states. They have also been to several places in Europe, including a 2007 Winter Waltz with a group that included a dozen WSSRA members. The Caldwells enjoy spending time with their family – two daughters, a son and five granddaughters.