BCC Offers Para Educator Training this Fall

07:51AM / Wednesday, July 02, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) will offer a six-week Para Educator Training course this fall, beginning September 8 and concluding October 17, 2025.

Classes will be held at BCC's main campus, located at 1350 West Street, Pittsfield, Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (final week Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.).

Students will gain hands-on support from experienced mentors and receive career preparation and job placement support. Graduates will earn the industry-recognized ParaPro credential and be prepared to work as paraprofessionals in a public or private K-12 education setting

Para educators play a vital role in supporting teachers in the classroom. Becoming a para educator is a great first step toward a meaningful career in the field of education. The BCC Para Educator program covers areas such as instructional techniques, classroom management, child development, special education and effective communication strategies. Participants learn how to assist in the delivery of educational content, provide one-on-one or small group support to students and help manage classroom behavior. Upon completion, graduates are prepared to work as effective, compassionate para educators, contributing to a positive and inclusive learning atmosphere.

Applicants must be 18 years or older and have a high school diploma, GED or equivalent. This is an entry-level course with no prerequisites.

For more information email workforce@berkshirecc.edu or call (413) 236-2115.

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Pittsfield Remembers Lives Lost to Overdose, Underscores Harm Reduction

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:33AM / Tuesday, September 01, 2026

Mayor Peter Marchetti reads a proclamation at City Hall encouraging residents to raise awareness and lift each other up.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Dozens of people gathered downtown on Monday to remember those lost to overdose and work toward a future of zero deaths from substance use disorder.

The Berkshire Overdose and Addiction Prevention Collaborative and its partners held a proclamation reading and flag-raising at City Hall, followed by a standout in Park Square with signs promoting the use of naloxone, harm reduction, and reducing associated stigma.

There were 23 fatal overdoses in Berkshire County in 2025, 11 in Pittsfield. This is down 44 percent from the 41 countywide fatalities in 2024.

While it is a significant decrease, advocates want to see that number at zero.

"On the one hand, we're very pleased to see this significant of a decrease. This is actually the lowest number that we've had since [Department of Public Health] started collecting these numbers in 2013, but the goal is still zero," said Andy Ottoson, public health planner with the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission.

August is International Overdose Awareness Month, the world's largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember those lost without stigma, and acknowledge the grief of families and friends left behind. September is National Recovery Month, a national observance to educate the public on the importance of substance use treatment and mental health services.

Samantha Kendall of Berkshire Harm Reduction explained that it is truly meeting people where they are, as they are, and when they are, "and I think we all do a really great job at that."

"We also want to remember that we're building a community for everybody, and systems and policies for everybody. That's really important in harm reduction work, so that's also the reason we're here today," she said.

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