Retired School Principal Works Past 70, Makes a Difference

In 2008 Steve Selle retired from his full-time career as a teacher and school principal. He could continue his lifestyle with the excellent pension and retirement benefits enjoyed by many public-school educators, but he chooses to continue to work. However, he has more control over his schedule and his duties, continuing to work when he wants and working with people and situations he enjoys, stating “I’m the type of person that needs to stay busy. I enjoy work.”

When he retired in 2008, he had a period when he needed to make two house payments, after a move. For two years he took lots of jobs substitute teaching to earn extra income to make the extra house payment. He discovered that he enjoyed substitute teaching, mostly in the elementary grades. After the extra house sold, Steve has continued to be the go-to substitute for a select of teachers who he knows to be well organized with detailed lesson plans.

In 2010 Regis University, a Jesuit liberal arts school, approached Steve to see if he would supervise student teachers. He accepted the position and usually has 2 or 3 students each semester. He enjoys the sense of purpose that comes with training this new generation of educators. He finds the Regis students have been very well trained, saying “Regis makes my job easy.” He limits his days working at Regis to Tuesday through Thursday, keeping four-day weekends open on his calendar.

The main difference from his earlier work life is that he can control his own schedule, and control who he chooses to work with, while continuing his life mission of educating both elementary students and their future teachers. “I feel more freedom, but I’m still busy.”

The time freedom allows Steve and his wife Debra to watch their 5-year-old grandson three days a week. It also allows them freedom to travel with extended family each year, as well as enjoy time at their mountain condo that they share with 9 other families.

Steve and his wife Debra are active in their church, where they sing in the choir. Steve also serves in his Optimist Club, where he heads the Club’s bicycle program. Four other club members, one a retired bike mechanic, join Steve in this effort. They take donations of used bikes, refurbish them, then give them to children in needy families that qualify for the school lunch program. Most years the club delivers over 240 refurbished bikes.

Steve is an avid cyclist, riding 3 times most weeks, year-round. Each year he travels with friends to Majorca, Spain for a two-week cycling trip. He and Debra plan to make a project of visiting more National Parks.

Steve could be 100% retired but chooses not to be. He controls his own schedule, he travels when he wants, he has a rich personal life where he continues to contribute, being what his Jesuit employers call “a person for others”.

He sums it up: “I’m never bored.”

From the author: Know someone who is working past age 70? I would love to hear the story. I may be reached at www.strategicexit.com