Great Barrington Rudolf Steiner School Welcomes First-Grade Teacher

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Great Barrington Rudolf Steiner School has hired Michelle Marks as first-grade teacher for the 2011-12 school year.

Marks earned both her masters of education and her Waldorf Education Certificate from Antioch University New England. Additionally, she is certified in natural health and alternative medicine, and has a bachelor in fine and performing arts from Radford University.

"Integrating the Waldorf curriculum with my love for and experience in teaching, healing fields and the arts fulfills my life's work: bringing children a holistic, balanced education that encourages love of learning and reverence for human creativity," Marks said.

The Great Barrington school accepts children in first through eighth grade students from the Berkshires, northern Connecticut and New York's Columbia County. It is one of more than 1,000 Waldorf schools worldwide, and part of the movement of independent schools developed over 80 years ago by scientist, philosopher and writer Rudolf Steiner.


Children stay with their primary teacher through the grades in a curriculum that integrates science, literatures and culture with fine and practical arts. It also offers an early childhood program for children ages 2 to 6.

The school is now accepting student applications for the school year. Contact the school at  413-528-4015, Ext. 105; facultyadmin@gbrss.org or www.gbrss.org more information.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
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