Atchison-Holt members of MRTA met for a quarterly business meeting and were visited by therapy dog handlers and their dogs. Pictured are, from left to right: front row – Merylan Lowrey, Barb Tansy (with Miss Priss), Ann Martin, Stephanie Wright (with Pooka), Phyllis Dannar, Betty Sparks, Sharon Luce (with Cipher), and Bill Luce (with Forbes); and back row – Korey Miles, Phyllis Parker, Roger Martin, Jodie Kurtz, Rana Killingsworth, Diana White, Carol Brandon, and Dean Sparks. (Margaret Slayton photo)

By Margaret Slayton,

Mound City News Reporter

The Atchison-Holt unit of the Missouri Retired Teachers’ Association (MRTA) met for its quarterly business meeting at Toad Hollar Bar & Grill in Mound City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 2, 2023. During the meeting, the former teachers were visited by four therapy dogs that are part of the Pony Express Therapy Dog program. Those who attended were Barb Tansey from Forest City, Missouri, and her dog, Miss Priss, a miniature Aussiedoodle; Stephanie Wright from Mound City and her dog, Pooka, a standard poodle; Bill Luce from St. Joseph, Missouri, with his dog, Forbes, a greyhound; and Sharon Luce from St. Joseph with her dog, Cipher, a whippet. Barb Tansey and Bill Luce previously served as educators in northwest Missouri.

Members of MRTA volunteer and participate in community service events. Eighteen former teachers in the organization have logged in 16,475 hours of service this year.

“Even though we have retired, we are active and productive in the community,” Phyllis Parker and Roger Martin said.

Mound City R-2 School District Superintendent Korey Miles also gave an update during the meeting on legislation that is being proposed by the Missouri General Assembly pertaining to public schools. The Mound City School Board and MRTA have voiced opposition to Open Enrollment Legislation that is currently pending in the legislature.

MRTA is currently looking for members and is encouraging retired teachers to join the organization.