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Patricia Robie, a fourth-grade teacher at Becket-Washington School, said she loves what she does.
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Brown recognizes Brad Whateley, a math and physics teacher at PHS.
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Family, friends and colleagues attended the recognition event at Church Street Center.

Berkshire County Educator Recognition Award

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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Jo-Ellen Height of Undermountain Elementary School was one of three educators presented with recognition certificates by MCLA Vice President of Academic Affairs Cynthia F. Brown.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Three Berkshire County educators were honored at the fourth annual Berkshire County Educator Recognition Award Ceremony at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts on Thursday night.

The awards were presented by MCLA at the Church Street Center in partnership with the Berkshire County K-12 superintendents.

David Hastings, Southern Berkshire Regional School District superintendent, said a few words about the importance of dedicated educators.

"You are the best of the best, and you join tremendous people that have preceded you in earlier years," Hastings said.

The first recipient of the award was Jo-Ellen Height, an integrated special needs pre-kindergarten teacher at Undermountain Elementary School in the Southern Berkshire district.

Height has more than 45 years' experience as a teacher and speech and language therapist. She has received a National Association for Educators of Young children accreditation.

Height said she always imagined herself being a teacher.

"I have been teaching for a very long time, and it has been something I have always wanted to do since junior high school," Height said. "My passion is to help each of my students be the best that they can be regardless of the challenges they face."

The second recipient was Patricia Robie, who teaches fourth grade at Becket-Washington School in the Central Berkshire Regional School District.

She has taught for 15 years and promotes family and community involvement in education. She serves on the Innovation School Planning Board for her school, the School Council, and the Parent-Teacher Organization.

"It seems to be strange to be standing in front of you accepting recognition for something I love to do," Robie said. "I know there are hundreds of other teachers in Berkshire County who do this difficult job every day that could never imagine doing something finer."

The third recipient was Brad Whateley, who teaches mathematics and physics at Pittsfield Regional High School.

Whateley was formerly a physician who made the switch to high school teacher 10 years ago. He is responsible for expanding Advanced Placement physics at PHS and has also created a pre-physics program and an engineering academy.

"I made a career switch, and I couldn't have done it without the educators at Pittsfield High School who helped me make that transition," Whateley said. "I feel like I should be giving an award because I have been the recipient of so many great mentors that were teachers, and it has made my life really good."

MCLA President Mary Grant closed the ceremony by thanking the award recipients.

"It is just such a pleasure to have this time to celebrate your work and recognize your accomplishments," Grant said.


Tags: educators,   MCLA,   recognition event,   

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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

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