Susan Dixon, Past President of the California retired Teachers Association, garnered a prestigious award from Delta Kappa Gamma (DKG). Photo credit: DKG
There are many excellent educators who dedicate their considerable talent and energy towards the betterment of conditions of others. One of these is Susan Dixon, a retired elementary school teacher from California who was instrumental in increasing the monthly incomes of many of her fellow teachers.
After her retirement from the classroom, Susan became active in the California Retired Teachers Association (CalRTA). Among her other responsibilities in the organization, she served as the state President from 2023 to 2025 and as the President-Elect from 2021 to 2023. In these positions, she worked tirelessly to repeal legislation that prevented educators in California, and in several other states, from collecting Social Security benefits they had rightfully earned. Previously, laws restricted these educators from collecting their Social Security paychecks because they were already receiving a pension from the California State Teachers Retirement System. Once the legislation was passed, Susan participated in two national press conferences and was invited by President Joe Biden to attend the signing of the new bill in Washington, DC, on January 5, 2025.
As a result of her activism on behalf of the retired teachers, Susan garnered a prestigious award from Delta Kappa Gamma (DKG), an international professional organization for women educators. The award she garnered, the 2026 California Professional Service Award, was presented to her in April, 2026, at the DKG Northern Conference.
Today, Susan continues her lifelong commitment to public education and advocacy as President Emerita of CalRTA. She also serves as Co-Chair of the National Retirement Security Task Force, CalRTA Federal Legislation Special Assistant, a member of the Senate Social Security War Room led by senior policy advisors to Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon, and Area XIV Legislative Representative for Delta Kappa Gamma.
Before she retired, Susan taught second grade at Mar Vista Elementary School in San Clemente in Southern California. She also worked as a kindergarten teacher at Harold Ambuehl Elementary School in San Juan Capistrano. Susan’s career as an educator spanned 35 years.
