Dr. Charlotte Tabereaux, education director of the Mississippi State University Riley Center, was guest speaker at the Sept. 4, 2009, meeting of the East Mississippi Retire Educators’ Association.

The Riley Center provides several shows for students K-12 each year and also trains teachers and MSU education students on how to integrate the arts into the classroom. The benefits of this integration are well documented, Tabereaux said.

Schools that incorporate a strong arts program report higher test scores, better analytical skills, lower dropout rates, fewer disciplinary problems and a greater appreciation for different cultures. In closing,Tabereaux noted that every child is an artist.

The group met at the Meridian Activity Center. President Sherry Morgan convened the meeting and Irene Wade gave the devotional.

The next meeting of the organization will be on Oct. 2, at which time Mable Oatis will share about her trip to Egypt. All retired educators are invited to attend.



• Report submitted by Pat McCubbin.