Call For Nominations for the Teacher of the Month Series

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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The Teacher of the Month series has been renewed for another 12 months, and we need nominations. The 12-month series is in partnership with Berkshire Community College. 
 
Throughout the first season, we met some of the outstanding teachers in Berkshire County who have influenced and inspired the next generation, and we know there are more. Submit a nomination for a teacher who deserves the spotlight here. 
 
"Teachers are an integral part of a community and often go underappreciated despite their impact," iBerkshires Publisher Osmin Alvarez said. "A good teacher not only teaches the curriculum to the students but does so in a way that inspires them to become part of a community and change it for the better."
 
Last year's honorees were teachers from various grades and schools, including Gabriel Abbott Memorial School, Mount Greylock Regional School, Berkshire Family YMCA and Mount Everett Regional School.
 
These educators influenced their program or school's culture by participating in or spearheading extracurricular activities or fundraising opportunities for local organizations. 
 
This year, we hope to see even more nominations for teachers, professors, paraprofessionals, and all the educators who have had a clear and lasting impact on their students, colleagues, and the community.
 
Thank you to everyone who sent in a nomination last year. Nominate a teacher here. 
 
Last year's honorees were: 
 
May: Williamstown Elementary School kindergarten teacher Jenna Dickinson. 
 
June: Morningside Community School fourth-grade teacher Breanna Sumy
 
July: Berkshire Family YMCA preschool teacher Marissia Bibbo-LaFog
 
August: 18 Degrees prekindergarten teacher Celia Armstrong 
 
September: Mount Greylock Regional School physics teacher Shawn Burdick 
 
October: Morris Elementary School fourth-grade teacher Ashley Scherben
 
November: Mount Everett Regional School science teacher Asha Von Ruden 
 
December: Stearns Elementary School fourth-grade teacher Krista Harrington
 
January: Hoosac Valley Elementary School kindergarten teacher Sarah Leidhold
 
February: Clarksburg School prekindergarten teacher Mary Quinto
 
March: Gabriel Abbott Memorial School third-grade teacher Kimberly Wall 
 
April: Berkshire Arts and Technology Charter Public School history teacher Alla Chelukhova

Tags: teacher of the month,   

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Clarksburg Students Write in Support of Rural School Aid

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

Mason Langenback calculated that Clarksburg would get almost $1 million if the $60 million was allocated equally.
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Eighth-graders at Clarksburg School took a lesson in civic advocacy this week, researching school funding and writing letters to Beacon Hill that call for fully funding rural school aid. 
 
The students focused on the hardships for small rural schools and their importance to the community — that they struggle with limited funding and teacher shortages, but offer safe and supportive spaces for learning and are a hub for community connections.
 
"They all address the main issue, the funding for rural schools, and how there's a gap, and there's the $4 million gap this year, and then it's about the $40 million next year, and that rural schools need that equitable funding," said social studies teacher Mark Karhan.
 
A rural schools report in 2022 found smaller school districts cost from nearly 17 percent to 23 percent more to operate, and recommended "at least" $60 million be appropriated annually for rural school aid. 
 
Gov. Maura Healey has filed for more Chapter 70 school aid, but that often is little help to small rural schools with declining or static enrollment. For fiscal 2027, she's budgeted $20 million for rural schools, up from around $13 million this year but still far below the hoped for $60 million. 
 
Karhan said the class was broken into four groups and the students were provided a submission letter from Rural Schools Advocacy. The students used the first paragraph, which laid out the funding facts, and then did research and wrote their own letters. 
 
They will submit those with a school picture to the governor. 
 
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