Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/830448
hunting. She and a friend will drive to another county if there's a bargain to be had. "I love being retired," says Hale, former president of the Compton Education Association. "I 'm finally free and don't have to worr y about all the responsibilities teachers have." As president of the Compton chapter of CTA/NEA- Retired, she stays busy and socially connected. She enjoys volunteering in her former district, serves on three com- mittees, and helps out with Read Across America. "Don't wait to retire, because if you wait too long, you can't enjoy it. And retirement is so enjoyable!" Stay engaged Mary Rose Ortega is so busy these days, she can't figure out how she managed to work full time. Now that she's retired, the former Los Angeles teacher and longtime CTA Board of Directors and NEA Board member can devote herself to political causes dear to her heart, such as volunteer- ing with the Association of Mexican American Educators, the Democratic Party and political campaigns. She is also the legislative representative for the United Teachers Los Angeles chapter of CTA/NEA-Retired. Having a sense of purpose and staying connected to one's community is of critical importance to staying happy and mentally healthy as a retiree, observes Forbes.com. "Retirees have the experience, the knowledge and the time to help out with political causes, but we are often an untapped resource for CTA," Ortega observes. "We have to let the younger generation know that just because we're older doesn't mean we aren't available." She's also having fun. She recently attended Oldchella, a three-day rock concert featuring the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, e Who and Bob Dylan. She travels with her husband to his work conferences, and reads books she never had time for before. She's renovating her home, which has a spectacular view of Los Angeles, and her grandchildren visit often. "The best things are days when you can get up in the morning and not do anything," she says. "I love that, too." Find a hobby Experts say hobbies make for a happier retirement. Robin Schreiber, an artist, thought she'd mostly be painting and exhibiting her work in local galleries. But after a video of her dancing at a Golden State Wa r r i o r s b a s k e t b a l l g a m e w e n t v i r a l — t h e r e a r e 220 million view s of h er on YouTub e — dancing has become her new hobby. A teacher of 30 years, Schreiber expected to slip into retirement quietly. But the former Hillsborough Teachers Association member has done anything but, and it all started with a sweater. She bought the Warriors' ugly holiday sweater for her son, but he said, "No, thanks." She wore it to a game and decided that people needed some cheering up after the ugliness of the presidential campaign. So, when the music came on, she danced. The crowd — viewing her on the Jumbotron — went wild. She was asked to do a holiday performance with the Warriors Dance Team, and TNT flew her family to New Orleans for the All-Star Game, where she met some of her favorite players, including Steph Curry. Recently, an apparel company approached her about a T-shirt with her likeness. She is giving motivational talks to schools about cyberbullying, because people have ridiculed her online, much to her great indifference. "Yes, I'm having fun with this," she admits. "e best part of being retired is doing whatever you want." See Robin "Dance Cam Mom" Schreiber create a stir on social media at bit.ly/2pPp4Ly. A 30-year teacher, Robin Schreiber retired and found fame as the Golden State Warriors' "Dance Cam Mom." 52 cta.org CTA & You