Pension Sense blog | November 21, 2024 | Mindy Tirapelle

Most people can name at least one teacher who made a positive impact on their lives.

Teachers wear many hats and mean different things to different people, after all.

You and your peers serve as role models, support systems, advocates, therapists, coaches and friends to your students.

As we begin this annual season of thankfulness, we want you (yes, you!) to know how much you’re appreciated. At CalSTRS, we work hard to sustain your trust and help secure your retirement because we know how hard you’re working to inspire Californians in public school classrooms.

Did you know that we highlight educators at the start of each Teachers’ Retirement Board meeting? Take a look:

An education in romance

Anselmo Marin and Julie Law-Marin are science and social science educators who met and fell in love while teaching. They share their inspiration for becoming teachers and how that influences the way they teach.

Joy multiplied

Dolly Sandoval is a retired math teacher who starts every day at the gym, loves to cook and enjoys traveling to new locations. Her love of her craft is contagious, and she used that enthusiasm to show her students how math can lead to all sorts of careers.

Labor of love

Lance Gunnersen turns his woodworking workshop into a toy shop where his students build toys for children in the community every year. Then they invite the community into their Winter Wonderland for games, music and an amazing celebration.