Steiner School Taps New First-Grade Teacher

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Anna Taiga is joining Great Barrington Rudolf Steiner School at first-grade class teacher for the 2019-20 school year.

Taiga was selected from a pool of applicants after an international search. At the Steiner School, as in most Waldorf schools worldwide, grade-school class teachers practice "looping," moving through the grade school curriculum with their classes and building strong, long-term relationships, for up to eight years.

"We are so happy to welcome Anna Taiga as teacher for the Class of 2027," said Steiner Board of Trustees President Chris Lee. "She is already a valued member of our teaching staff, working effectively with students at all grade levels, and brings many valuable resources and experiences to the class, including her love of diverse cultures. With Anna Taiga joining the Steiner faculty as class teacher and Dr. Sue Das joining as our incoming school director, the Great Barrington Rudolf Steiner School is in an exciting phase of growth, heading toward our 50th anniversary in 2021."

Taiga earned her teaching certificate in Waldorf Education from the Alkion Center at Hawthorne Valley in Ghent, N.Y. She also holds a bachelor of science in psychology and a masters in human resources and industrial relations from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. She began her teaching career in high school English and worked as a substitute throughout the grades at Hawthorne Valley Waldorf School.

Pittsfield ZBA Member Recognized for 40 Years of Service

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
12:23PM / Thursday, April 25, 2024

Albert Ingegni III tells the council about how his father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo who died at age 94 in 2020, enjoyed his many years serving the city and told Ingegni to do the same. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It's not every day that a citizen is recognized for decades of service to a local board — except for Tuesday.

Albert Ingegni III was applauded for four decades of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals during City Council. Mayor Peter Marchetti presented him with a certificate of thanks for his commitment to the community.

"It's not every day that you get to stand before the City Council in honor of a Pittsfield citizen who has dedicated 40 years of his life serving on a board or commission," he said.

"As we say that, I know that there are many people that want to serve on boards and commissions and this office will take any resume that there is and evaluate each person but tonight, we're here to honor Albert Ingegni."

The honoree is currently chair of the ZBA, which handles applicants who are appealing a decision or asking for a variance.

Ingegni said he was thinking on the ride over about his late father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo, who told him to "enjoy every moment of it because it goes really quickly."

"He was right," he said. "Thank you all."

The council accepted $18,000 from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and a  $310,060 from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All program.