From the Desk of Superintendent Peter Dillon Berkshire Hills Regional School District (BHRSD)

Teacher appreciation week is the first week of May. It cannot come soon enough. While two years of the pandemic have been challenging for all, it's been particularly hard on teachers. A NPR story today detailed how many teachers are exploring leaving their profession early.

Uncertainty about health and wellness, covering for sick peers, and trying to support students and families in the most challenging times are all taking their toll. While we are anticipating 5 or so retirements, we know many colleagues are exploring a wide range of options.

So, what are we doing so support our teacher colleagues? Well, we trying to make space for them to plan and work together. We're supporting social-emotional learning and growth. With the help of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, we're catering lunches on professional development days. We all read James Nestor's Breath. We're listening and providing supports where we can.

In the coming months, I hope we can all reach out in person or by email to current and former teachers and thank them for their tenacity and efforts in these uncertain times.

Here are links for faculty at our three schools:

• Muddy Brook
• Du Bois
• Monument Mountain (you need to click on a department and then faculty to see a link to an email address)

My next update will be on the budget process and budget.

Photo: Arthur Dutil