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. 

Greenagers Founder Will Conklin Honored as Business Person of the Year

By Breanna Steele12:17PM / Saturday, October 03, 2026

Casey Pease of state Sen. Paul Mark's office presents William Conklin, right, with a state Senate proclamation.

EGREMONT, Mass. — The Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce honored a local businessman and nonprofit leader on Sept. 24 at Catamount Mountain Resort.

 

William Conklin was this year's Business Person of the Year, recognizing his work as founder and executive director of Greenagers, a nonprofit that helps youth and children engage in work in environmental conservation, sustainable farming, natural resource management, and vocational skills building. 

 

Conklin and his family also run Sky View Farm and he is a managing partner of Konkapot Tree and Timber, a small-scale forest products business.

 

"If you spent any amount of time in Southern Berkshire, chances are you've heard his name, whether you realize the connection at the time or not," said board member Sierra King Watson, who emceed the event. "You might be having a conversation about farming, a new barn or structure that was built, students learning hands-on skills in sustainable agriculture, or a family that receives donated firewood to help keep their home warm through a cold Berkshire winter, or maybe you're simply talking about one of those community leaders who somehow manages to show up, support everyone, and seemingly be everywhere all at once.

 

"Well, one name has a way of continuously popping up, and that is Will Conklin."

 

Board President Mark Rulison said the region has more than 1,200 nonprofits. One in four jobs in the county is in the nonprofit sector, which ranks 27th nationally for nonprofit employment. He said the economic impact on the community is huge, thanking those who help.

 

For the event on Thursday, Conklin requested that as much of the food as possible was sourced locally. Most of it came from Greenagers, Sky View Farm, Indian Line Farm and Fancy Feast Supper Club, creative dinner series.