Real Stories
Behind every public pension is a real firefighter, teacher, road worker, librarian, or other public employee who cares for our communities.
By sharing their stories, these public employees illuminate their experiences, highlighting the important roles they play in our everyday lives.
Retired School Bus Driver
Barbara Ward
I know what it’s like to put your child in the care of somebody else, or to trust them to watch over, and especially special needs kids. They say it takes a community to raise a child, but if you’ve got somebody who really cares, they’re there…
School Secretary
Lois Carson
I don’t see retirement coming up too soon, because I see such an attack on public jobs that I feel like I need to stick around a little bit longer, and be the voice for public workers…
Retired Teacher
Janice Dwosh
When I went into education, I knew there was going to be a cut in my salary, a significant cut compared to what I was making in the private sector. I made that decision because… I knew there would be a pension, a guaranteed pension for life…
Retired Road Worker
John Ortega
You see these people on the side of the road, and if the temperature says it’s 110 degrees outside, it’s usually 10-12 degrees hotter when they’re standing on pavement. So you’re always working in temperatures over 100, 120…
Teacher
Kumar Rashad
There have been several attempts to change our pension system, even with the current legislation, there is always some level of attack in one form or another…
School Counselor
Kristin Goodwin
The role of a School Counselor has drastically changed from when it first started. In the past, it has been mostly helping students with their post-secondary planning, whether that be going into the workforce or to higher education. But that is a small portion of my job here, most of it is…
Firefighter
Bryce Carden
We get presented with challenges every day that we overcome. And we always get it done, so it’s good. You learn from the guys who came before you, and now I’m passing information down to the guys who come after me…
Teacher
Becca Davison
I feel like, as an educator, my role in the community is to help shape the next generation…
Corrections Officer
Leighton Vanderburgh
I was brought into this position trying to provide for my family, and I left the private sector for the benefits and the pension…
Retired Teacher
Marina Russo
I like when you’re trying to reach out to a student, and they don’t seem to get it, but sooner or later, by working with them, the light bulb goes on. I like doing the fun activities: reading, art, videos, and group work. Really, whatever keeps the kids reaching their goals…
Teacher
Savannah Goodpasture
I am a fifth-generation educator, and all generations have been here in Kansas. Since I have wanted to be a teacher since I was a kid, I have known that the pay…
School Intervention Coach
Ralph Theissen
The community that’s built with kids… It’s such a gratifying, gratifying feeling. I think there’s nothing more important than that…
Teacher
Rick Meeth
Many that get into public service like my field, public education, but also firefighters, also people that work in the corrections department, that work in sanitation or any public area, we don’t get in it to get rich. We choose this career because it’s a good…
Teacher
Laura Adams
Modest means – that’s where I come from. For years, I’ve heard stories about my great-grandparents. My great-grandfather was a farmer, and my great-grandmother was a teacher. When my great-grandfather was unable to work the farm any longer, he …
Nurse
Susan Nicol
I live in Madison, Wisconsin, and I am an RN Patient and Family Educator and a certified Diabetes Educator at the University of Wisconsin Hospital. I’ve had the privilege of working for the hospital for over twenty years. I became …