Over the last 25 years, I've admired Charlie's tireless advocacy for students, innovation, and creativity in schools.
Charlie's been a mentor to countless people in Vermont education over many decades. All Charlie's work was threaded with genuine compassion.
I found myself laughing, just once today, as I remembered...
Charlie joked with me a few years ago that not hiring me back in 1993 for a Network Administrator position at Shelburne Community School was one of the worst mistakes he ever made in education. I told him "if that's the worst mistake you ever made, you've done really well over the years." I'll never forget how he laughed that day, and how fun it was to listen to the stories that followed about his paths in education, the triumphs, the trials, and the ideas he was still hoping to work on.
I had another great conversation with Charlie this past November at VT Fest. As usual, he was full of ideas and bouncing new ones about what we could do to expand learning opportunities for kids.
Rest in peace, Charlie. Thanks for all your work here, kindness, friendship, and innovative spirit.
We're going to miss you here.