Vermont Governor Shumlin Thanks Claire

VPR’s Susan Keese’s story on Claire’s influence as a teacher: Shumlin Cites Inspiration By Childhood Teacher

“Governor Peter Shumlin began and ended his inaugural address by recalling a teacher who saw past his childhood dyslexia and taught him to read. That teacher, the late Claire Oglesby, influenced countless southern Vermont children and families. She helped start the Grammar School in Putney and then spent 45 years teaching first and second grade in the little two-room school in Westminster West.

Peter Shumlin’s parents actually had a hand in recruiting Oglesby and her husband, Mac, to Putney from teaching jobs in New York City.”

Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin spoke of Claire in is inaugural address on January 6, 2011.

“That I stand before you today as Vermont’s 81st Governor was improbable, and no one can attest to that better than my mom and dad, who are here today. My mom reminded me again on election night that it often seemed more likely in my grade school years that I would struggle to find a job than to run for office. As a kid who learned differently, I remember well in second grade being called into the principal’s office with my parents to have them be told what I already knew, but hoped beyond hope that they would never find out: that with all the good efforts of my teachers they could not teach me how to read; that the prospects of my being a successful student and going onto college were unlikely, but they would do the best they could. That was not a great day.

I had a single teacher who believed in me. Her name was Claire Ogelsby; she later became Vermont’s teacher of the year. Her husband Mac and daughter Molly are here today. Claire would be here too had she not lost her battle with cancer a year and a half ago. After her long day at school, Claire loaded me in her Willy’s Jeep and took me to her log cabin deep in the woods on Windmill Hill Road in Westminster West. In the warm weather we sat on her lawn; in the cold weather we huddled around the wood stove; and slowly and creatively she taught me how to read. What I remember best about Claire was no matter how difficult the challenge; no matter how innovative she had to be or how hard she had to work, she never gave up on me and therefore neither did I.”

….

“Our obstacles are many, and our challenges are daunting. The change we are proposing this afternoon is transformative and systemic. It will not happen quickly or easily. Yet as I stand here today to begin a new era of government in Vermont, I remember Claire Oglesby and the many Vermonters who embody her belief that we can overcome adversity with courage and creativity.”

For a full transcript and to hear the audio of the inauguration address, visit VPR: Peter Shumlin Describes His ‘Big, Ambitious, Achievable’ Agenda