School and Community Summer 2023

MSTA Representation at PSRS/PEERS I n February, Katie Webb was appointed to the Public School & Education Employee Retirement Systems of Missouri (PSRS/PEERS) Board of Trustees. Webb has taught in Hannibal for over 14 years and is a career long member of MSTA. The following transcript is an excerpt from her appearance on the MSTA Presents podcast, which can be listened to in full at mstapresents.podbean.com or by scanning this QR code.

What has your experience serving on the Board of Trustees been like so far? I have learned a tremendous amount. It’s like drinking out of a fire hose. As a teacher, I have always known that PSRS is a phenomenal organization. I have always known that they are doing what they can for my retirement, and I think most teachers in the state of Missouri know how good (or have heard how good) that system is. But in learning their processes and meeting the staff, I was absolutely blown away at the level of professionalism and the intelligence of every individual I encountered. I came home [from my first meeting] and everybody said, “Well, how’d it go? Was it good?” What I told most people is this... I’ve always known that educator retirement is phenomenal. What I saw today with my own eyes is how passionate everyone is for what they do because it’s a multifaceted company. To listen to our CFO talk about our investments and talk about that world... That’s not a world I come from. I’m an educator and that is not something I think about on a day-to-day basis, which is part of why I think PSRS/PEERS is so amazing. There’s that security in knowing that I don’t have to be an expert on certain things because they have the right people in the right positions. And that was the biggest takeaway for me. The culture of PSRS/PEERS is so open and collaborative. They communicate very well with one another. There is not a question I couldn’t ask. If I don’t understand something, they encourage me to ask for clarification. The business world is not

the world I come from. I come from the world of tying shoes and wiping noses and lesson planning and grading. I was humbled to be asked to do this, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve in this capacity. What do you think is the most valuable aspect of the PSRS/PEERS system? Our work not only affects current educators and current retirees, but also their families. My parents have this delightful neighbor who has been living off her husband’s PSRS retirement for over 25 years. She lives on that. It is her sustainer. She said, “I thank you so much for doing what you’re doing.” People think of it as [only benefiting] the current retirees – no, these are their families. These are their beneficiaries that you have to think about and act with fiduciary responsibility. I have a responsibility to the system to make the best decisions because the retirement system is so great, and it’s got to continue to be phenomenal. I leave those meetings with such peace knowing that the right people are in the right positions to do so. Why are organizations like MSTA and PSRS/PEERS important to teachers? It is tough to be a teacher. Day to day, our time is spent with all of these beautiful students, pouring into them. Our plan time is spent photocopying, having parent meetings, making phone calls and making connections home. It is difficult as a working

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