Retirement may mark the end of a career, but for many longtime Klein-area school employees, it does not necessarily mean stepping away from the people and community that filled so much of their lives.

The Klein Association of Retired Employees, better known as KARE, gives retired educators and other school district employees a place to stay connected through friendships, volunteer work, trips, luncheons, workshops and community service. KARE is a local chapter of the Texas Retired Teachers Association, an organization focused on the professional, economic and social well-being of retired public school employees.

Staying Connected to the Klein Community

For KARE Historian David Brand, that connection began with a simple invitation from a friend.

“I've been involved for about five years,” Brand said. “Several friends were in the organization, but one friend in particular invited me to come and see what it was all about. I did, and slowly got more involved.”

Brand spent decades in education, teaching fifth grade for 14 years before teaching kindergarten and physical education for another 15 years. His career included time at Greenwood Forest, Kaiser and Middlestadt, where he spent his final 20 years. His connection to Klein goes back even further.

“My experience in Klein was very positive. I worked with a lot of really good people and got to meet a lot of interesting kids,” Brand said. “I'm actually a Klein graduate as I graduated from Klein High School in 1975.”

KARE Is Not Just for Teachers

One important part of KARE's mission is that the organization is not limited to classroom teachers. Retired school employees from a wide range of roles can participate, including former bus drivers, custodians, cafeteria employees and others who spent their careers supporting students and schools. Retired employees from districts beyond Klein are also welcomed by the organization.

KARE President Linda Carroll, who worked in Klein ISD's special education department for 28 years and has been involved with KARE since 2016, said she hopes more retirees discover what the group offers.

“I think KARE is one of the best-kept secrets in Klein,” Carroll said. “Everybody who's retired, whether that's from Klein or any other school district, needs to know we're here for the fellowship and for the support that we provide.”

A New Chapter With Familiar Faces

That fellowship can be especially meaningful after retirement, when the daily routines and relationships built over decades in a school community suddenly change. KARE creates opportunities for retirees to remain active through service projects, social gatherings, educational programs and other activities, while continuing relationships that often began years earlier in Klein-area schools.

The broader Texas Retired Teachers Association includes more than 240 local chapters across the state, giving retired public school employees opportunities to connect with one another and remain active in their communities. Residents interested in learning more about KARE can visit the chapter's Facebook page or visit the Texas Retired Teachers Association for membership and chapter information.

For people who spent years helping Klein-area students, families and schools, retirement does not have to mean leaving that sense of community behind. KARE offers another way to stay involved, reconnect with old friends and keep contributing to a place that, for many members, has long felt like home.

Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for more stories about the people and organizations making a difference across the Klein community.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.

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