Nominations Open for 2019 Education Recognition Awards

North Adams, Mass. — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) and Berkshire Community College (BCC), together with the Berkshire Superintendents’ Roundtable, announce that nominations are open for the 2019 Berkshire County Educator Recognition Award.

Nominations for this ninth annual award recognition, in honor of Berkshire County educators, will be accepted through Feb. 15. Awards will be given in each of the following categories: Early Childhood – Community Setting, Elementary Pre-K to Grade 2, Grades 3-6, and Grades 7-12.

MCLA President James F. Birge, Ph.D., said the College is pleased to honor the county’s outstanding educators with the Berkshire County Educator Recognition Awards.

“Each year, MCLA recognizes the significant work accomplished by the region’s outstanding educators,” Birge said. “We appreciate all that they do as they teach their young students and encourage them to do their best and strive for excellence as they make and realize their educational goals.”

MCLA Education Department Chair Nick Stroud, Ph.D., said, “Teachers make a difference every day in the lives of students, and we are excited to honor some of the many excellent educators in Berkshire County through these awards.”

Educators employed in Berkshire County early childhood programs and pre-K through grade 12 schools are eligible to receive this award. Potential award recipients must be nominated by another educator, district/school administrator, or program director/provider, and have at least five years of experience in a program, school or classroom setting. Typically, pre-K-12 applicants also must have achieved Professional Licensure, or the equivalent licensure, in Massachusetts.

In addition, nominees should show distinction in education as demonstrated in classroom teaching or by their primary activities, as well as service to the profession, the community, or the region.

Selections for the awards will be made by a committee comprised of Berkshire Country educators, as well as MCLA and BCC education faculty. In recognition of the awards, each recipient will receive $500, and each recipient’s school or education center will receive $200. A reception and public recognition for the recipients will be held at MCLA on May 2.

Nominations should be submitted online at https://bit.ly/2T35QRs.

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) is the Commonwealth’s public liberal arts college and a campus of the Massachusetts state university system. MCLA promotes excellence in learning and teaching, innovative scholarship, intellectual creativity, public service, applied knowledge, and active and responsible citizenship. MCLA graduates are prepared to be practical problem solvers and engaged, resilient global citizens.

For more information, go to www.mcla.edu.