ALPINE ELEMENTARY RETIRED TEACHERS' FEBRUARY LUNCH

Our Alpine Elementary Retired Teachers' February Lunch

was held Monday, February 12, at

Habit Burger Grill in American Fork.

I had never been there before.

The food was great!

I had a tri tip sandwich.

Those in attendance were:

Vicky Haws, Me, Carolyn Hutchings, Adonna Iverson,

Diane Durrant, Nancy Pope, Jane Boulter, Brad and Cathy Tibbitts.

I love these monthly get togethers!

I have been to 55 of these lunches since my retirement!

I have never missed one!!!

It's just a way to get together with my dear teacher friends!

I have had a big void in my life for the last 20 years.

It started when Ann Searle changed jobs in the district,

and Calvan Vance retired.

The biggest change was in the year 2000, when our school

split when Westfield was built.

My Alpine Elementary Faculty & Staff were my family!

Especially the day I went to the temple for the first time.

My escort was my carpool buddy of 17 years.

A couple of teachers wanted to come.  Ann said to invite

the ones I wanted, and give a general announcement for the others.

Well, most everyone on the faculty came!!!

Some that couldn't come to the temple, came to the lunch!!!

My last 4 years were really difficult!!!

My 3 best teaching buddies had retired, or transferred.

(Cathy, Carolyn, Jane)

Linda Dibb had retired from the team.

Cheryl Dominguez had also transferred.

I felt my only great friends left were Nancy, Lori, and Paul.

Several new teachers were coming in, and they did not

value our traditions that were in place since long

before I came.  

Now, all my teacher friends since before 2000 are retired.

Over the years, most of them have attended a lunch.

This year, 2018, would have been my last year teaching.

I would be 59 1/2 and taught 38 years (just like my mom)

After my 6 years health insurance that I would get,

I would only have to pay 2 months for insurance.

As it is, I have 1 1/2 years left.  Then I have to be on 

Cobra and pay about $560 a MONTH.  

After the 1 1/2 years, I go back on EMIHealth and

pay a little more, for 2 1/2 years.

Then (gasp) Medicare!

But, I will have insurance and secondary insurance!

And, unlike those hired after 2010,

they have no health insurance after they retire!

(the 4, 5, or 6 years we had)

Also, no 3% stipend or any stipend that we got

if we were hired before 1990!

Soooo glad I was in at the right time!

I am sooo thrilled that my entire career was

at Alpine Elementary!!!  I have made lifelong friends

on the faculty, and also with parents and students.

The Lord knew where I needed to be!