Retired Teachers Association gives $1K grant to Kendall math teacher

Provided photo: Georgia Thomas, president of the Orleans County Retired Teachers’ Association, left, presents an education grant in the amount of $1,000 to Kendall math teacher Allison Larter.

KENDALL – The Orleans County Retired Teachers’ Association has awarded Kendall math teacher Allison Larter with a Barrie Fleegel Education Grant.

The grant in the amount of $1,000 was presented this week by Georgia Thomas of Medina, president of the Orleans County RTA.

She explained the grant will assist Larter in furthering her education to receive her doctorate.

The award is named for Barrie Fleegel, who began his educational career as a science teacher in 1955 in Marion, during which time he was also curriculum coordinator. He became high school principal in 1971 and two years later was elevated to the position of Marion superintendent. After retiring in 1995, he immediately became a member of New York State RTA.

After joining the organization, Fleegel first served as Wayne County president and Central Western Zone vice president from 1998 to 2000. He next was elected zone president in 2000 to 2003 and immediately moved to the position of NYSRTA’s senior vice president. During his years in that position, he served on the budget and finance committee and the ad hoc resolutions committee.

In spite of his busy involvement, Fleegel also supervised student teachers from SUNY Oswego until falling ill in the fall of 2005. He died in 2006.

Thomas said the Orleans County RTA holds an annual meeting every year.

“Our main purpose is to be a watchdog to make sure teachers don’t lose their retirement,” Thomas said. “Basically, we are a social gathering.”

She said any person who works for a school system is eligible to join the Retired Teachers Association. This includes not only teachers, but bus drivers, instructional assistants and substitutes.