Jerry Rea, Freeport

J. C. Rea of Freeport retired in 2002 from his 35 years of teaching elementary students at Freeport Area School District. But, as they say, there is no grass growing under his feet. At his exit interview he met two other retired teachers and learned about the local association for retired teachers. Without hesitation he joined.

Jerry, as he is known, quickly became active and was voted President-elect in January 2004. Officers serve two-year terms and are pre-elected. He will assume the presidency in January of 2006. Jerry said he was attracted to the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees (PASR), Alle-Kiski Chapter, because “they fight for the rights of public school retirees”. During his years of teaching he was an active member and then served as President and negotiator of Freeport’s division of the Pennsylvania State Education Association.

What’s clear is Jerry’s passion for teaching and teachers. He said; “I got to deal with children my entire career” showing a love and thankfulness of the honor of teaching. He dedicated his life to teaching and now he is doing the same for teachers. He told me about one important issue that most people do not know; teachers who retired before the 1990’s get very little in benefits and rarely see cost of living raises. Although teachers retiring since then have much better benefit packages, they also do not see cost of living raises. Jerry pointed out, “Pennsylvania is only one of very few states that do not give teachers cost of living raises” [on a scheduled basis]. He stated that most states schedule these at least every two years. “The last one we received was five years ago,” he noted.

The Alle-Kiski chapter of PASR isn’t just about their own interests. They are reaching out to the community with many new programs. Members are donating over 9,000 hours every year serving local and national organizations. Once a year they conduct a membership collection of food and donate it to an area food bank within a school district. They just established a $500.00 a year scholarship for area students and are looking to increase the amount of money. This year a student at Apollo Ridge School District received the scholarship. They also are giving the Lauretta Woodson Award every year recognizing the outstanding teacher and support person at a local school district. The teacher and support person are recognized for their contribution to the school or community. This year Tom Rocchi, teacher and Kevin Cranik, support person, of the New Kensington-Arnold School District were selected to receive the award that will be given this October.

Jerry also contributes his time to the “Hope Network” [http://www.hopenetwork-pa.org/] based at Health South in Harmer. This non-profit group promotes community integration of individuals with cognitive and/or physical challenges in southwestern Pennsylvania through programs, services, and leisure activities that support return to a healthy, productive lifestyle. Jerry is a friend of John Sikora, Executive Director and offered to volunteer. Programs include Healthsports, Research and Education. John is interested in the Healthsports that offers sports, fitness, and recreation opportunities for persons with disabilities to be active in life. John’s loves to play tennis, is learning golf and was a softball player.

Jerry also belongs to the Homeowner’s Association where he lives at Buffalo Trails Plan. He serves on the Townhouse, Landscape and Government Committees.

He is a native of this area and graduated from Tarentum High School and Clarion University of Pennsylvania. He started teaching at Freeport Area School District in 1968 in the 6th and 4th grades. There is no question about Jerry’s enthusiasm, loyalty to teachers and community needs. He enjoys his retirement, loves to travel, but is dedicated to serving others. Married for 33 years to his wife Anna, he has a 28-year old son, Aaron, who also is a teacher. Aaron teaches at Highlands Middle School. His legacy continues in another generation.

Watch Jerry Rea’s video interview: http://www.alle-kiskitoday.com/webcasts/1535

PASR Alle-Kiski Chapter William Halli, President 724-845-7182 bhalli@alltel.net http://ak-pasr.onlyhere.net/

Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees http://www.pasr.org/ Read a Pittsburgh Post Gazette Article about a major PASR issue http://www.pasr.org/PostGazetteArticle.html

] Freeport Area School District http://www.freeport.k12.pa.us/