Scott’s Education secretary choice is a mistake

I am shocked and dismayed at Gov. Scott’s appointment of Zoie Saunders as Vermont’s secretary of education. Everything I have read about her mostly non-existent public school experience reminds me of former U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. Like DeVos, Saunders has never been a teacher or administrator. Her professional career has been devoted to private and charter schools. The fact that three months ago, after she had already been approached by Gov. Scott, she accepted a business position in a Florida public school system doesn’t pass the “smell test.”

The governor has touted the fact that she has been working in public education, but I don’t consider a few months experience in another state to qualify someone for the huge task ahead of us in Vermont. I would at the very least expect a candidate to have a working knowledge of our unique educational system and a doctorate degree in education. Saunders has neither.

I have taught in Vermont schools for over 40 years. I know the importance of public education and I find it difficult to believe that the governor could not find a more qualified candidate from within our state or region to lead our Agency of Education. I question how much effort was put into this “year-long” search if someone with so little experience is the best he could find.

I encourage readers to express their concerns about Zoie Saunders’ appointment as Secretary of Education to their state senators. The Senate will be voting on confirmation this week.

Nancy Pejouhy

Bethel

The power of reading

I was delighted to read Jonathan Stableford’s commentary (“So many books, so little time”; April 6) because I enjoy learning about other people’s reading lives. No two reading lives are the same; that’s the beauty of them. We all have our strategies for what to read, what to reread, and, in my case, what to give away.

On a recent walk with a friend, I learned that she keeps all her books. This choice reflects how deeply a book can affect one and how comforting it can be to hold on to our books. Dare I say they become our old friends? Until recently, I too kept many of my books, but have since reconsidered this practice. I have concluded that since I enjoyed these books, I would pass them on to someone else who might also share the enjoyment of reading them. Thus, my great give away.

Books come to us in many ways. For me, oftentimes, a book seems to appear out of nowhere. It could be a mention from a friend, a new book by a favorite author, a book review in the newspaper, or the result of browsing in a bookstore.

Some of my favorite books are those shared with my grandnieces, which has been a wonderful bonding experience. Initially, I read aloud to them; later, as they grew older, we shared the reading of a book, and now, they are reading independently. There’s nothing quite like snuggling on the couch with a 9-year-old, an 11-year-old, and a good book.

Discussing books with others offers a glimpse into someone else’s life and a means of connecting with that person. Reading, sharing and connecting reflect our humanity and help us make sense of our own lives. Stableford is right. There is no one right way to read. Our “reading lives” are as diverse as we are and we all benefit from the books in our lives.

Sherrie Greeley

Windsor

A cosmic kindness

Many of us experienced the solar eclipse on April 8. Some a total one and others not, but the most amazing experience, I submit, was that the bumper-to-bumper traffic on our interstates and within the towns was orderly. I saw no evidence of anything but kindness among drivers. The traffic flowed at various speeds blending together without rage being displayed. Thank you all!

A traveler to St. Johnsbury.

Bob Keene

Hanover