Monument Mountain Teacher Receives Award from The Mass Council for Social Studies

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Ted Collins, a veteran history teacher at Monument Mountain Regional High School, has received the 2026 William Spratt Award for Excellence in Teaching Secondary Social Studies by the Massachusetts Council for Social Studies.

Presented annually, the MCC Teacher Awards recognize exceptional educators in a variety of social studies disciplines from across the Commonwealth; teachers, administrators, and museum educators at all levels are eligible for this honor. 

Collins' talents and contributions to students and school stood out. Principal Christopher Barnes, who submitted the nomination with support from Superintendent Peter Dillon, shared the following: 

"When Mr. Collins teaches history, it isn't just about dates, timelines, or important historical figures. Students become immersed in the full scope of the age—[through] the writings of preeminent social, political, and philosophical thinkers of the time—[positioning them] to better understand the arc of history. Above all, Mr. Collins' greatest achievement is the long lasting impact he has had on his students, their minds, and their critical thinking."

(MCSS) is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit educational organization. It is a network of social studies educators who work with related professional associations, government, and private agencies in support of history and social studies education.

This year's awards ceremony took place at Old Sturbridge Village following the MCSS Spring Conference on March 13. A complete list of award recipients can be found here. 

Lee Breaks Ground on Public Safety Building

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
06:26AM / Saturday, April 25, 2026

Lee Town Administrator Chris Brittain says the community voted to invest in its future by approving the new $37 million complex. 

LEE, Mass. — Ground was ceremonially broken on the town's new public safety building, something officials see as a gift to the community and future generations. 

When finished, Lee will have a 37,000 square-foot combined public safety facility on Railroad Street where the Airoldi and Department of Public Works buildings once stood. Construction will cost around $24 million, and is planned to be completed in August 2027.

"This is the town of Lee being proactive. This is the town of Lee being thoughtful and considerate and practical and assertive, and this project is not just for us. This project is a gift," Select Board member Bob Jones said. 

"This is a gift to our children, our grandchildren."

State and local officials, including U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, gathered at the site on Friday, clad in hard hats and yellow vests, and shoveled some dirt to kick off the build. 

Town Administrator Chris Brittain explained that officials have planned and reviewed the need for a modern facility for the public safety departments for years, and that the project marks a new chapter, replacing 19th-century infrastructure with a "state-of-the-art" complex.

"The project is not just about concrete and steel, it's a commitment to the safety of our families, the efficiency of our first responders, and the future of our community," he said. 

He said he was grateful to the town's Police, Fire, and Building departments for their dedication while operating out of outdated facilities, and to the Department of Public Works, for coordinating site preparation and relocating its services.