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San Marcos Area Retired Teachers and Staff (SMARTS) honored Ruth Spear at its May, 2019, luncheon meeting at the Price Center. Ruth Spear taught for 42 years, most of them in the San Marcos Consolidated School District. She began teaching on the elementary school level. Then, when her science skills were recognized, she was asked to begin teaching at the Junior High, which was Lamar at that time. From Lamar, she moved to Owen Goodnight Junior High School, which included ninth grade. She served as chairman of the science department, which required her to equip the new labs with supplies and equipment. She worked with many students on research for their science projects.
Spear is proud of the many students that she taught over the years, especially those that turned out to be physicians, physicists and inventors. She served a term as president of the Science Teachers of Texas and was awarded a plaque, “A Fellow of the Texas Science Academy,” in appreciation for the work she had done on research projects.
Spear ended her teaching career after 3 years teaching classes through the internet to students in remote areas, as well as a 3-year stint with the University of Texas at San Antonio, supervising student teachers in teaching science.
When Spear retired in 1996, the San Marcos Area Retired Teachers and Staff was seeking a new president. Spear’s name was suggested as an excellent candidate for the job. She accepted the position and began her long and dedicated service years to SMARTS and TRTA (Texas Retired Teacher Association). After serving as president for 3 years, she accepted the position of first vice president, fulfilling the job of chair of the membership committee. She has served in a multitude of other capacities, including yearbook chair, retirement education chair and foundation chair.
Spear has also served TRTA District 13 as secretary/treasurer, first vice president, president and chair of the retirement education committee.
At the May 14 meeting, Spear was given a cake that read “Thank You, Ruth!” She was also given many letters and cards of appreciation and various gifts. Honorariums in Spear’s name were given to the SMARTS scholarship fund (for Texas State University education students) in the amount of $405. SMARTS hopes that Spear will be a part of the retired teacher association for many more years, but we want to thank her for 23 years of service to retired teacher organizations in Hays County and TRTA District 13. SMARTS meets every second Tuesday from September to May.
