NRTA Past, Present and Future

NRTA: AARP'S Educator Community

 | August 9, 2005

NRTA: AARP's Educator Community is America's foremost network of 50+ adults and organizations with a passion and affinity for education and learning. NRTA members share a commitment to learning, voluntary service, and civic participation. Members of NRTA are dedicated to continuous educational opportunity, advocacy, and service as a means of safeguarding the economic security, work opportunities, and future well-being of all generations.

What Does Your Membership in NRTA: AARP's Educator Community Include?

• Benefits and Discounts – Access to health insurance, automobile insurance, homeowners insurance, and other services from AARP. Discounts on travel, online services, computers, music, and much more.
• Advocacy and Information – A voice in Washington, D.C., and in your state. NRTA and AARP represent you on issues like Medicare, Social Security, and consumer safety.
• Advice for Living Well – By drawing on AARP resources, get expert advice on healthy living, financial planning, consumer protection, and caring for parents.
• Award-winning Publications – AARP The Magazine is packed with exciting features.  Membership also provides you with access to the AARP Bulletin online that brings you the latest news and information.  NRTA’s Live & Learn is a special online publication that provides profiles of celebrities passionate about education and provides a unique perspective on education and learning after 50. 
• Community Service – Be part of a nationwide network of state and local Retired Educator Associations (REAs), volunteer for NRTA’s With Our Youth! Program , participate in our Educator Support Network, which have 2,700 local REAs.
• Participate in AARP Driver Safety courses, Tax-Aide help, and a wide-ranging volunteer network.

NRTA's History

Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus founded NRTA: AARP's Educator Community (then known as the National Retired Teacher's Association) in 1947 to address the economic challenges and health insurance needs of educators in retirement.  The benefits she was able to provide retired teachers became so popular that non-educators sought the same member benefits.  Therefore, eleven years later, in 1958, Dr. Andrus reached out to a broader audience by founding AARP (then known as the American Association of Retired Persons).  NRTA and AARP shared many goals and collaborated in the development of countless programs and advocacy initiatives.

In 1982, the two associations merged at the national level and NRTA became a division of AARP. The merger was designed to continue the beneficial relationship NRTA: AARP’s Educator Community and AARP had enjoyed for nearly a quarter century.  NRTA also maintains a collaborative working relationship with a network of state and locally-based Retired Educators Associations (REAs) who collectively represent over 750,000 retired educators.

The 50th Anniversary of NRTA was celebrated in 1997 with events nationwide and at the state and local levels—culminating in a national Convocation at which the NRTA and AARP state presidents, the Board of Directors, and other leaders celebrated their shared history and vision. More recently, NRTA and its network of REAs helped AARP celebrate its 50th anniversary by honoring an outstanding high school in every state with a $10,000 grant to support multigenerational and civic engagement activities.

NRTA has received over $500,000 in grants to support the Educator Support Network, Staying Sharp (brain health), College & Career Planning and Financial Literacy programs from Farmers Insurance, MetLife and The Hartford, respectively. Additional information about NRTA’s Educator Support Network and Staying Sharp program is provided through these links to our website.

In the tradition started by our founder, Ethel Percy Andrus, NRTA: AARP’s Educator Community continues its quest to engage all those committed to education and learning.

Join NRTA today and be a part of this exciting group of people with a passion and affinity for education and learning.