Wheeler, Clara Marian, 1861-1946.

Grand Rapids, Michigan educator, principal of the Grand Rapids Kindergarten Training School, and advocate of kindergarten education.

From the description of Clara Marian Wheeler papers, 1874-1948. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 34422187

Clara Marian Wheeler was born April 25, 1861 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She was the daughter of Reuben and Marian Wheeler. Wheeler was a teacher and spent more than half a century in kindergarten teaching. She was a charter member of the Grand Rapids Kindergarten association, which established a training school in 1894 and was instrumental in getting Mrs. Lucretia Willard Treat to come here from Chicago to head the school. Clara Wheeler was secretary of the school until 1904, when on Mrs. Treat's retirement she became principal. She remained until the school was discontinued in 1919. For the next five years Wheeler conducted a private kindergarten school in her home. Beginning in 1921 Wheeler joined the Parent-Teacher association, becoming an officer of the state organization, serving as treasurer, secretary and historian. She would be active in this organization until her death in 1946.

From the guide to the Clara Marian Wheeler papers, 1874-1948, (Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan)