Members who have spent their professional lives under the academic calendar, even in retirement look at school openings as a pivot point. RTC Chapter Leader Tom Murphy looks at where we have been and, after our summer respite, where we are headed.

Barbara Zietchick began taking painting lessons and learning about printmaking while she was still a kindergarten teacher on Staten Island in the 1980s. Now, 37 years after her retirement, Zietchick’s lifetime commitment to “change and growth” continues through her award-winning work.

Si Beagle trips make a seamless transition from in-person walking tours to virtual excursions for Retired Teachers Chapter members.



More than 30 years ago, Antoinette Messina, now retired, taught an immigrant boy to speak English. In a simple twist of fate, that boy, who grew up to be a physical therapist, today is teaching Messina to walk again.

A 50-member volunteer Retiree Health Care Committee has been created by the Retired Teachers Chapter to serve as middlemen between the chapter and union leadership on health care topics.

After 44 years of nurturing the popular Supplemental Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) for UFT retirees and their families, Director Irene Lospenuso is retiring.