Cheryl G. Chedester

Cheryl G. Moore Chedester has dedicated her career to education.  She is currently completing a dissertation on the topic of Adequacy in Kentucky Schools for her Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership.  She earned more than 30 hours above her Master degree in Administration and Supervision at Eastern Kentucky University.  In 1985, she completed her Master of Education degree in Counseling and Guidance from Lincoln Memorial University.  In 1983, Cheryl completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education with a secondary education emphasis in History.  Cheryl has always been an accomplished student with many honors bestowed on her for those academic achievements.   

Throughout her professional career, she has received numerous accolades and awards.  She was competitively selected as one of the first 50 Kentucky Distinguished Educators.  She has worked with numerous school districts and the Kentucky Department of Education in a variety of leadership capacities, including Superintendent of Schools, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, Elementary Principal, Guidance Counselor, Teacher, K-5 Mathematics Specialist, Management Assistance Consultant, and grant writer.

While a native Kentuckian, Cheryl spent her entire childhood in suburban Cincinnati, Ohio.  Cheryl married her college sweetheart, John in 1973.  She and her husband lived in various locations throughout the nation while he served on active duty with the U.S. Air Force. They are the proud parents of two adult sons, Richard Jennings Chedester and John Gregory Chedester.  Rich is an active duty logistics officer with the U.S. Marines, currently stationed in Iraq with a Port of Entry Transition Team (POETT).  He is scheduled to return to the US in late March.  Then, his duty station will be in eastern Pennsylvania.  Greg is completing his college work and working full time in Kentucky.  Cheryl’s parents, Richard and Darlene, reside in Kentucky and recently celebrated their 34^th wedding anniversary.

Cheryl loves to travel and enjoys learning about different cultures too.  Along with her family, she has enjoyed international travel to Japan, Mexico, and Canada as well as many locations throughout the United States.  She and her family plan to do more traveling in the future.  Additionally, she loves music, theater, and outdoor activities and sports events.  Cheryl has a large extended family and a group of close friends that support and sustain her while juggling her demanding job as our Superintendent of Schools.  She has increased the tourism to our area with visits from family and friends!  back to top

Michelle C. Folger

Michelle received an Associates degree from Adirondack Community College in Glens Falls, New York. She also received a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education and a Masters degree in Administration with a concentration in Curriculum, Supervision and Evaluation from Castleton State College. She holds Vermont certification as an elementary teacher and principal, K-12. 

In 1974, Michelle began her teaching career as an elementary teacher in Poultney, Vermont. She received the Christa McAuliffe Fellowship in 1998 and began working for the Vermont Department of Education traveling around the state. Michelle provided professional development to teachers on the Vermont Framework of Standards.   Upon her return to Poultney, Michelle became the Rutland Southwest Supervisory Union Director of Curriculum. 

Michelle looks forward to summer, being outdoors gardening, mowing the lawn on her John Deere tractor, relaxing at Lake St. Catherine with friends, swimming and enjoying her motor boat.    back to top

Bonnie J. Lenihan

Bonnie received a BS at Trinity College of Burlington, Vermont with a major in Special Education and a minor in Psychology.  She completed a Masters of Education Program at Castleton State College, graduating Cum Laude, obtaining a Masters of Art Degree in Special Education with a concentration in Administration.  Bonnie’s endorsements include Director of Special Education, ages 3-21, Special Educator, grades K-12 and Elementary Education Teacher, grades K-6.  Bonnie is a recipient of the National Association of Special Education Teachers Outstanding Graduate Student Performance Award for academic excellence and contributions to the field of Special Education.  To view a list of Bonnie’s diverse responsibilities as Director of Student Support Services, please click here.  back to top

Darren McIntyre

Darren McIntyre is in his first year at Rutland Southwest Supervisory Union as Assistant Coordinator for Student Support Services.  Prior to his current position Darren worked eight years as a special education teacher for grades 9-12, and two years at the elementary level.  In addition to teaching, Darren has also worked as Peer Mediation Director, gaining valuable skills in collaboration with certified mediators and mediation students.

In addition to the above work experience, Darren has a high degree of academic knowledge.  Darren obtained his Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts from Adirondack Community College, his Bachelor of Art’s Degree in Developmental Psychology from Castleton State College, a Master of Art’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the Woodruff Institute at Castleton State College, and is currently working on his doctoral degree in Educational Administration from Walden University in conjunction with the University of Minnesota.  All of Darren’s degrees were earned with honors.  As a result, Darren serves as a member of Psi Chi, the national honor society in Psychology, and as a member of Kappa Delta Pi, the national honor society in Education.  Lastly, Darren currently has a 4.0 GPA in his continuing education as a doctoral student. 

Darren’s coursework and experience have allowed him to earn endorsements as Principal, Special Education Coordinator PreK-12, Special Education Teacher K-12, and Elementary Teacher K-6. 

Outside of the education realm, Darren enjoys spending quality family time with his wife, and three year old daughter, down-hill skiing, landscaping, operating the John Deere loader/backhoe, and adding nifty gadgets to his vehicles.  back to top

Brian J. Hampl

Brian received a Bachelor’s degree in Operations Research from the USAF Academy and a Master’s degree in Management Science from the State University of New York at Binghamton.  Brian has served as Business Manager for the Rutland Southwest Supervisory Union since July 2005.  Previously, he was employed as Business Manager  for Rutland South Supervisory Union and Business Manager, Controller, Senior Financial Analyst and Assistant Corporate Secretary in the private sector. 

Brian is a graduate of Poultney High School.  In addition to his duties at Rutland Southwest Supervisory Union, Brian serves his community as Chairman of the St. Raphael Church Parish Council and as a member of the Poultney American Legion. He enjoys golfing in his spare time.  back to top

Aaron Boynton

Aaron Boynton is a graduate of Rutland High School.  He received a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Elmira College in New York, with a concentration in General Science.  Aaron began his career teaching first grade at Northeast School in Rutland and sixth grade at the Rutland Intermediate School.  During that time, he graduated from the Woodruff Institute for School Leaders at Castleton State College and received his Masters in Administration.

Over the years, Aaron’s work in the field of education has varied from primary grade summer tutoring to adult literacy.  He has assisted at Castleton State College with lessons on inquiry based learning.  He is a member of the Rutland Southwest Supervisory Union’s LEAD-IT Technology Committee.

Aaron is an Eagle Scout and enjoys the outdoors.  He also enjoys playing the bagpipes and is a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Jean Marie Oakman

Jean was born and raised in Vermont.  She is a 1977 graduate of Castleton State College, with a BS in Elementary Education and a double minor in American Studies and Social Science.  In 1983, Jean graduated from CSC with a Masters in Education Administration and completed her Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study degree in May of 1997.

Jean started her career teaching at Poultney Elementary and High Schools in 1976, while finishing up her undergraduate degree.  In 1977, she taught third grade at the Shaftsbury Elementary School.  From there, Jean worked at the Wells Village School for 17 years.  She was a multi-aged teacher, a teaching principal, a gifted and talented teacher and a full time principal during her tenure there.  In 1995, Jean became the principal of Castleton Elementary and Village Schools for eight years.  In 2003, Jean joined the Southwestern Vermont Supervisory Union as the Director of Compensatory Education.  After two years with the SVSU, Jean joined Poultney High School as the new principal.  Jean has been an adjunct teacher at Castleton State College, College of St Joseph’s and UVM.  Jean served on the Vt. State Capstone Leadership Team for many years and has served as a consultant in various Vermont supervisory unions.   back to top

Kristen Caliguiri

Kristen Caliguiri graduated from Castleton State College with high honors where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, with a concentration in Psychology.  She went on to obtain a Master’s in Education from the College of St. Joseph.  Kristen has been working in education for sixteen years, with teaching experience spanning from the kindergarten level through grade six.  She is proud to be the principal of the Poultney Elementary School.  In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. back to top

Susan McKelvie

Susan has a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and licensure in Secondary Education from Castleton College.  She is currently enrolled in the Woodruff Institute for School Leadership at CSC, and will achieve her master’s degree in Administration in May of 2008.  She has worked as an English/Language Arts teacher at Castleton Village School and Rutland Middle School.  During her time as a teacher, Susan has been particularly involved in literacy initiatives and has led many standards-based writing workshops for teachers.  She has a passionate belief that literacy is the key to success in school and beyond.

Susan was born and raised in the Baltimore, Maryland area and moved to Bucks County Pennsylvania in the late 1970s. Before entering the teaching profession, she worked for many years in the business and retail world, particularly in the area of human resources.  She and her husband of 30 years, Mark, have lived in Hubbardton since 1997.  Currently, out of their four children, only 15-year-old Nick remains at home and attends Rutland High School. In her “spare time,” Susan is an avid reader, gardener, and birder. back to top

Linda O’Leary

Linda is certified in Elementary Education (K-6), Reading (K-12), Special Education (K-12), and Administration (K-12).  She received her Bachelor of Science degree in elementary Education with a concentration in Reading from Castleton State College.  The majority of her post graduate work has taken place at Castleton State College, the University of Vermont and the College of St. Joseph.  She returned to the Wells Village School as a full time administrator in 1999 after serving as the Teaching Principal in Middletown Springs for ten years.  Prior to that experience she taught grades 5 & 6 at WVS for ten years, also serving as the assistant principal.

Linda is a Co-Chair of the RSWSU Crisis Team and additionally represents the district at the Rutland County School Crisis Task Force Committee and the Southwest Regional Administrative Relicensing Board.

Linda is a 21 year veteran of the Manchester Rescue Squad and maintains her certification as an Emergency Medical Technician-Intermediate.  She is also a certified American Heart Association CPR Instructor.  She has held many leadership roles with the organization including first woman president.  As an active member of the United Church of Dorset & East Rupert she again has served in many roles including first woman Moderator, choir member and youth group leader.  During her spare time Linda enjoys traveling and spending time with her family & friends.   back to top

Joseph LaRosa

Joe was born in Cannicattini Bagni, Sicily in 1945 and moved to the United States in 1960 at the age of 16. He attended the University of New Haven and received a BA in History in 1969. After receiving his degree, Joe joined Teacher Corp and was assigned to the Hartford Public School System Alternative Learning Center in Hartford, CT.  In 1971, Joe received an MA in Secondary Education from the University of Hartford. In 1973 he received his Administrative Certificate. Additional course work was done at the University of Connecticut.

Joe has held a wide variety of positions in secondary education, including Teacher, Master Teacher, Director of Special Education Diagnostic Center, Assistant Director of Career Education, High School Vice Principal, High School Principal, Director of Alternative, Adult and Continuing Education and Acting Assistant Superintended of Schools.  He also served as Recruitment and Admissions Director of Alternative Education at Daytona Beach Community College.  Joe has been married for 36 years and has two children.   back to top