Sharon Nelius remembers the kindergartners who would wander into her elementary guidance office for the first time, looking small and nervous but full of potential. Each little face represented the reason behind her passion for her profession. It was always bittersweet to spot those same faces heading out the fifth grade door for the last time, bound for middle school, but she felt pride in their confidence, knowing how far they had come over the years.
In her more than 25 years as a school guidance counselor, she never tired of watching students grow. Now, in her retirement years, Nelius has not given up her calling to help local students. She and other retired educators gather quarterly at The Mercantile Cafe in Manchester around a lunch table to discuss additional ways to invest in the next generation of students.
The Coffee County Retired Teachers Association (CCRTA) was founded on Feb. 5, 1969, as the local chapter of the Tennessee Retired Teachers Association (TRTA). This organization brings together retired educators from Coffee County Schools, Manchester City Schools, and Tullahoma City Schools to discuss educational issues and to network with other educators. Because it is such an inclusive group, taking members from all over Coffee County, the CCTRA currently has around 140 members, with about 25-30 attending the quarterly meetings.
“The group brings together retired educators for advocacy, socializing, and community outreach,” Nelius said. “An educator never stops helping children — it just takes on a different form as you move into the season of retirement.”
Nelius retired from guidance counseling at Tullahoma City Schools in December 2024 and immediately joined the CCRTA. She followed in the footsteps of other family members who were members before her.
“My grandmother and mother were members, and I wanted to stay connected and plugged in to what was happening in local education,” Nelius said.
Her grandmother, Rebecca Thompson, taught second grade at East Lincoln for 29 years, and her mother, Sarah Johnson, taught at Jack T. Farrar for 23 years. Nelius herself worked in Bedford County and Tullahoma City Schools for 25 years. She currently holds the position of vice president for the CCRTA. As an officer, she helps plan the quarterly meetings and also attends state-level TRTA meetings.
“My true passion is seeing students become good, productive, well-rounded adults — academically, emotionally, and socially,” she said.
Helping students achieve these goals is a core tenet of the group itself. The CCRTA awards two scholarships annually to graduating seniors entering the field of education as a way to support future teachers in the area. The awards go to one recipient from Coffee County High School and one from Tullahoma High School, chosen by a scholarship committee of CCRTA members. Those who win the scholarships get invited to the June CCRTA meeting as special guests.
“At our June meeting, the scholarship winners are invited to attend to share their education plans with the group,” Nelius said. “We do try to stay in touch with the recipients, and enjoy hearing about their educational journey.”
Scholarships are just one way the group gives generously to students. They also work to provide books for children. At the CCRTA September and March meetings, they donate children’s books to Court Appointed Special Advocates, Tullahoma Day Care, Manchester Head Start, Shepherd’s House, and the Coffee County Children’s Advocacy Center, ensuring even the youngest learners have access to literacy. At their March 2026 meeting, they donated more than 100 books to children in the area. At the September 2026 meeting, they collected preschool books for the pre-K and Little Cats programs in Tullahoma as they prepared to relocate to the old Jack T. Farrar Elementary building.
“Giving children’s books to these organizations is our way of promoting education for the young when they may be in need,” Nelius said.
Members also volunteer annually to ring bells for the Salvation Army at Christmas, which assists local children and families in need.
TRTA supports current and retired educators as well. Through TRTA, CCRTA members and other local chapters can stay informed about pension updates through the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System. They can also access the National Education Association-Retired and Tennessee Education Association benefits at the state level. These are important services, though Nelius says the heart of CCRTA’s mission is to consistently support educators and their students. Retired teachers offer a unique understanding that allows them to pass on wisdom to those in the trenches.
“After leaving the classroom, it is important to stay connected with public education because we have all been there and understand what today’s educators are up against,” she said. “In today’s world, where more people are leaving the profession than ever before, we are here to advocate for good educators and support them in any way we can.” GN
