Former Macon Mayor Dale Bagley, a retired science teacher, was honored as the 2026 State Distinguished Retiree of the Missouri Retired Teachers and Education Employees Association (MRTA) at the group's annual meeting and awards banquet Sept. 16.
Bagley served 16 years as mayor of Macon, according to the association.
During his career in science education, Bagley was a classroom teacher, department leader, curriculum developer, and mentor, and he took part in professional education organizations, according to MRTA.
Since retiring, he mentored new teachers, supported scholarship programs, promoted the Boys State and Girls State programs, and worked to inform school employees about the state's PSRS/PEERS retirement systems and about MRTA, according to the association. MRTA said he has also worked to connect retired educators with local schools and supported early childhood education efforts.
Within MRTA, Bagley served at the local, regional, and state levels. That includes about eight years as Region 3 retirement education chair and service on the State Retirement Education Committee, the association said. MRTA said that work helped active and retired educators understand their retirement systems and stay informed.
His civic work has included the Missouri Municipal League, the Lions Club, emergency communications, historic preservation, scholarships, and economic development, according to MRTA. The association said his work strengthened ties among schools, local government, and residents.
In announcing the award, the association said Bagley showed "the influence of a public educator does not end with retirement" and he "represents the very best of Missouri's retired public school educators and personnel."
MRTA is a nonprofit, nonpartisan group based in Jefferson City that advocates for retired and active public school employees and for Missouri's public schools. It reports more than 30,000 members.