Frequently Asked Questions
The Emeritus Teacher
“How can I continue to contribute to my community?”

There are numerous ways that Emeritus teachers can contribute to their community, including:
• Serve as a substitute teacher, tutor children, or mentor new teachers in the public school system.
• Supervise student teachers and/or teach courses in teacher preparation programs at a local university.
• Volunteer to work in shelters for homeless children or with children in critical-care units at the hospital.

“What are my role and responsibilities now?”

Emeritus teachers, depending on their interests, family demands, and health have nearly limitless opportunities to try new roles. Many emeritus teachers have traveled outside of the United States to share their experience. A few global opportunities include:
• Amizade. Offers two-week programs in countries in the Amazon basin and elsewhere. Volunteers help build schools and health clinics. Call 888-973-4443 or visit www.amizade.org.
• Elderhostel. Elderhostel volunteers work on a range of projects, from construction to historical preservation and archaeology. Projects range from one to three weeks. For more information, call 877-426-8056 or visit www.elderhostel.org.
• Global Volunteers. Organizes short-term volunteer experiences (up to three weeks in length) in 19 countries. Call 800-487-1074 or visit www.globalvolunteers.org.
• Peace Corps. Individuals aged 50+ currently constitute about 6 percent of the Peace Corps' 6,700 volunteers. Selected individuals serve a two-year assignment. For more information, call 800-424-8580 or visit www.peacecorps.gov.

“How can I continue to be professionally challenged?”

As passionate and long-term members of the teaching profession, Emeritus teachers are in a favorable position to advocate for a new generation of teachers, children, and the field of education. Coming from one of the most esteemed professions, these articulate men and women are aware of the rights of all retired individuals. Emeritus teachers may wish to lobby state and national legislatures and/or serve as consultants to legislative bodies. Emeritus teachers also should consider serving as educational consultants for educational publishers, or work as officers for state and national educational associations.

Links/Resources

Opportunities for Reflection