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
Pilgrim Claire at the annual Westminster West School Thanksgiving.
Claire loved to dress in costume, be it Halloween, Thanksgiving or an Oscar Party. Her love of dress up and the freedom to create based around costume was contagious. She encouraged it in her students, friends and family. There was always a box of costumes in the Westminster West School and in our home for impromptu plays, or simply looking fine. Costumes also played an important part in Claire’s teaching about other cultures’ traditions, customs and arts.
After I moved from Vermont, I remember more than once receiving a package in the mail that had some wacky part of a costume she thought I would like. And when I was back for a visit she would often have costume items to send back with me. They were all well used and I now have my own costume box ready for dress-up at a moments notice. I will, like many of you, always think of Mom when I put on a costume for any event and it’ll make me smile to know she would be dressed up right along with me. – Alice io
For more images of Claire, her friends, family and students in costume, please visit the Photo Galleries page.
Claire loved to travel with family, friends and students. Her journeys took her near and far, from Mexico to Western US and south to Puerto Rico – from Bread and Puppet Festivals in northern Vermont, to Asheville, NC – from Friendship, ME to China, Thailand and Italy. Below are images from some of those adventures.
If you have an image of Claire from a time she traveled with your family and want to share it, please email to alice@iodesign.net
When Mac retired it provided him with time to pursue his interests in sundials. One of the earliest dials he created was a shadow plane dial painted on the basketball court at the Westminster West School. He also volunteered in Claire’s classroom to make sundials with the students.
Claire's Commemorative Sundial
When Claire decided to retire, Mac designed and coordinated the manufacture and installation of a large sculptural sundial at the Westminster West School to commemorate Claire’s 35+ years of teaching. The sundial is installed next to the school.
For more images of the development of the Claire’s Commemorative Sundial, see the Photo Galleries page.
Once Claire retired, she enjoyed traveling with Mac to the North American Sundial Society (NASS) Annual Conference, as well as going overseas to visit sundial designer and friend Tony Moss. The NASS Conference trips often included other members of our family. Molly attended the one in Toronto, Canada. Claire’s sister Judy, Alice and Hugh attended the Tenafly, NJ one. And probably the most memorable one for Claire was the 2007 gathering in McLean, VA, where Mac won the Sawyer Dialing Prize. Alice, Hugh and Claire’s grandson, Silas, got to spend time with Grandma seeing the sites in nearby Washington, DC while Mac attended the conference.
Here are some images from Mac and Claire’s sundial adventures.
Published in The Compendium: Volume 16, Number 3
Journal of the North American Sundial Society
In Memoriam: Claire Oglesby (1932-2009)
Claire Oglesby, beloved wife of NASS member (and frequent contributor to The Compendium) Mac Oglesby, passed away on August 5, 2009 after a long battle with cancer. Members who regularly attend the NASS conference will be familiar with Claire, who often accompanied Mac at the meetings. Before her retirement in 2001, Claire had taught first- and second-graders in a two-room schoolhouse in Vermont for nearly 40 years. She was named the Vermont Teacher of the Year in 1970 and was the subject of a documentary film The World In Claire’s Classroom. She received an honorary degree from Marlboro College and numerous awards, including one from the Anti-Defamation League because of her teaching about diversity. An event to celebrate Claire’s life was held on the campus of The Putney School and attracted 200 people. All the members of NASS send Mac and their daughters Alice and Molly our sincere sympathies.
Screening of “The World in Claire’s Classroom”
Wednesday, August 19, 7:30 pm
Westminster West Church
Organized by students who were in this wonderful documentary. Filmmakers Lisa Merton and Alan Dater will be in attendance.
Celebration of Claire’s Life
Saturday, August 22
2:00-4:00 pm
Calder Hall, Michael S. Currier Center
at The Putney School
418 Houghton Brook Rd., Putney, VT
For questions, please contact Lois Barber at (802) 387-6243 or lbarber@putneyschool.org
Claire with young Claire and Cyndy Prozzo, Easter 2009 at Majors' in Westminster West.
When Claire attended the Majors’ Annual Easter Dinner this year she brought her grandchildren along, introducing them to a Westminster West holiday tradition.
Education/Teaching, Gatherings, In the News | alice January 8, 2011 | 
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