San Juan Association of Educational Retirees
Serving San Juan County Educators
WHO WE ARE
We are a local organization of retired educational employees. We’ve worked in all departments and positions in San Juan County schools. We have fun and contribute to the welfare of the community.
We are an affiliate of the state organization, New Mexico Association of Educational Retirees (NMAER). We work for the welfare of all educational personnel. We provide service and volunteer opportunities and build relationships through social interaction and belonging.
WHAT WE DO
Serving all districts in
San Juan County
Aztec, Bloomfield, Central Consolidated, Farmington and San Juan College
Meetings
We gather for food, fun, and fellowship at informative monthly meetings with interesting programs.
Meetings are the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 11:30 am from September through May at No Worries Sports Bar & Grill at Farmington Airport.
Order your lunch, just a drink or nothing at all. All are welcome to join us!
Advocate
We stay informed and monitor legislation that impacts education and retiree pensions and benefits. We voice our concerns to legislators.
Our dues to the state organization, NMAER, provide lobbyists to influence government decisions and legislation concerning retirees pensions, benefits, and healthcare.
Projects
We support local programs such as Threads (personal hygiene items), The Pantry (simple meal items), Namaste House Assisted Living (cards), and others.
We donate to teacher projects through DonorsChoose.org.
Scholarships/Grants
Part of the fun at our meetings is raising funds to support our scholarship/grant program. Our committee selects educational projects to fund through DonorsChoose.org. Projects are selected by rotating through each of the school districts in San Juan County.
Program for Meeting on November 10 at 11:30 at No Worries Sports Bar & Grill.
Join us to hear Bev Taylor, Proprietor of Artifacts 302
Bev Taylor is a graduate in Art History from UNM. For 27 years she and her daughter, Tara, have created a community gathering place that is home to 13 resident studio artists along with her daughter, Tara. She has been in business with her daughter for 27 years.
Bev is active in the community serving in various organizations. She is Vice President of the San Juan College Board of Trustees, Secretary of SJC Foundation, Regent of NewMexico Museums. and actively supports San Juan Symphony,
She is active in Leadership San Juan, and the Chamber of Commerce. She and Tara won “Businesswomen of the Year” in 2025 at the annual Women’s Conference.
Bev is married to Tom, former Mayor and Minority Leader in the NM House of Representatives. They are parents to 4 children, Tara, Tyson, Tennille, and Thomas and 6 grandchildren, and Chief the Magnificient, a 12 year old Collie dog.
SJAER Grant Program
Ms Virginia Batucan, special education teacher at Mesa Alta Junior High in Bloomfield, was the first recipient of our DonorsChoose.org donation. Her request was to purchase five reading pens for her students with reading disabilities.
SJAER donated $170 to complete the amount needed to purchase the pens. Susan Kannard presented her with the award letter. Her email thank you is below.
Thank you for your generosity and commitment to our students. Because of your support, our classroom will have reading pens that empower students to become more confident, independent readers. Your donation helps remove learning barriers and opens the door to greater success and engagement for every student. We are truly grateful for your kindness and belief in our learners.” With gratitude, Ms. Virginia
Ms. Root, 1st grade teacher at McCoy Elementary in Aztec, requested All-In-One Magnetic Phonics Kits to give her students an interactive way to build, decode, and write words. The color-coded magnetic letters help students break words into sounds and blend
them back together, while the write-and-wipe surface allows for repeated practice.
SJAER donated $393.41 to purchase the 10 Phonics Kits for Ms. Root’s classroom.
From DonorsChoose.org: “Your gift to Ms. Root’s project brought us all one step closer to a world where every child has the tools they need to succeed – and made an awesome teacher’s day!”
From Ms. Root: “Thanks to your efforts, 18 students at McCoy Elementary now have the materials they need to learn.”
WHAT MEMBERS ARE SAYING
“I joined SJAER to stay connected to friends who had retired and socialize with retirees from other districts in San Juan County. The monthly guest speakers are always informative and interesting.”
“I’m glad to be a part of a larger organization (NMAER) which supports retiree issues at the NM Legislature. I was intrigued by the guest speaker programs at every lunch meeting and it has never disappointed. I have learned so much about our community.”
“Another teacher encouraged me to join and it’s turned out to be a very enjoyable journey. There are lots of opportunities to serve and sharing time with former educators is always pleasant.”
MEMBERSHIP
Any employee of the educational system can join; administrators, custodians, secretaries, educational aides, maintenance staff, bus drivers, librarians, counselors, food service, etc. anyone! Become a member and we’ll provide: pension protection, access to benefits, social opportunities, and other advantages of membership.
SJAER – Retired Members
Any school district retiree
Annual Dues – $15 from September to May
SJAER – Associate Members
Any school district employee
Annual Dues – $5
NMAER Members
Retirees – Annual dues $30
Associate – Annual dues $5
Membership is a small cost that makes a big impact on the quality of life for you and other school retirees and employees. But we can’t do it without you. The more members we have, the bigger our voice.
