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The Many Roles of Faculty
The Many Roles of Faculty
Hi everyone! We are Sophia Busa and Charlotte Davenport, two of your prefects for next year, and we're excited to tell you about a significant factor of what makes Berkshire truly special: the nurturing student-faculty relationships you will develop during your time at Berkshire.
Given Berkshire's 4:1 ratio of students to faculty, it is nearly impossible not to get to know and forge relationships with our faculty, especially since around 80% live on campus with you. Beyond teaching, most faculty members serve as advisors, coach an afternoon activity, help with clubs and weekend fun, and often take on other supervisory roles during study hall, which means students interact with faculty multiple times each day in a variety of contexts.
Below are some examples of roles that Berkshire faculty play in your Berkshire experience:
Advisors
In the summer before coming to Berkshire, each new student is assigned a faculty member who will be deemed your advisor. Advisors offer support as you transition to Berkshire and will be with you throughout your time here, serving as your main support system and advocate on campus. Berkshire’s advisor program fosters strong, supportive relationships between students and faculty, as well as creating close connections among the small groups of students in each advisory group, which are usually only 6 students on average. Whether you're sitting for lunch on Wednesday, coming together on Friday mornings, or visiting your advisor's home and getting to know their family, the advisory experience plays a meaningful role in what makes life at Berkshire so unique. It doesn’t get any better for me than being a part of the Gappa Gang with my advisor, Mr. Gappa. He continues to help navigate me through my classes and is always there when life gets overwhelming. He also often invites the advisory over to his house for various occasions, such as for meals or hosting FIFA tournaments. It makes a difference knowing that someone is always there for you and allows Berkshire to feel like home.
Teachers
Here at Berkshire, we are incredibly fortunate to have such a dedicated and talented faculty. Many teachers take on multiple roles within the school community, making them some of the most supportive and influential figures on campus. Since most of them live on campus, you’ll often see them everywhere, from the dining hall and sports games to hiking on the mountain. They genuinely care about getting to know you, supporting your growth, and helping you reach your goals. In doing this, teachers make themself available to you throughout multiple parts of the day. Whether that is during office hours or on duty in certain areas, they are always there to support you through your academic time here. They want to watch you grow. They want to see you succeed.
Coaches
Whether you're at team breakfast, sitting in their class during first period, or riding the bus to an away game, your coach is a constant presence. At Berkshire, your coaches often wear many hats and fill various roles as they might also be your teachers, dorm parents, or other dedicated faculty members, bringing the same energy and care to every role. Facing a challenge off the field? Talk to your coach. Struggling on the field? They’re your go-to. Just like all Berkshire faculty, your coaches are committed to knowing you, supporting you, and helping you thrive and achieve your goals in a welcoming and supportive environment.
Dorm Parents
Dorm parents are faculty who live in the dorm with students. Each dorm has around five dorm parents. Dorm Life is a huge part of Berkshire. There is most likely no faculty you’ll be closer to than your dorm parents! Dorm parents make the space a fun and inclusive environment for everyone. They truly know the boundary between being a friend and being a parent. They are willing to help in any scenario, whether it’s letting you cook in their house for a project, or sorting out a situation between you and your friends, dorm parents are completely hands-on. Not only are they there to help you, but they also bring a warm sense of home into the dorm. From Saturday night dorm snack, where they make delicious snacks after a night of activities, to opening up their homes for a movie, dorm parents know how to provide a home-away-from-home feeling. Some of my favorite memories with faculty come from nights I’d sit in the common room and get to know the dorm parent on duty outside of the classroom or coaching.
College Counselors
One of my favorite places on campus is the college counseling office because of its warm, inviting atmosphere (and the candy, of course). As a rising Senior, the college process can be extremely stressful. However, the college counselors know how to build relationships with students beyond the college process, which formally starts during the middle of your junior year but is also previewed for you in earlier years (and we're a testing site!). The college counselors know 360 degrees of you, and are always willing to build on that relationship. It doesn’t matter if you stop by for a meeting, a quick chat, or even just to say hey, someone will be there to provide a warm welcome. No matter what grade you are in, the college office is always open for visitors and to grab a piece of candy.
Faculty in the Campus Center
Our new campus center is a hot spot on campus. No matter the time of day, you can always find students and faculty enjoying the space. Some faculty found in the campus center include Ms. Williamson and Ms. Redlund in the bookstore, Ms. Simmons, Mrs. Cooper, and Mr. Bjurlin in the Student Life Office, and our amazing Flik dining staff! A place I frequent on campus is the bookstore. Not only does the bookstore have anything you could possibly need or want, but Ms. Redlund and Ms. Williamson always have a smile on their face ready to help you with anything you need. The Student Life Office (SLO) has all the information. Need a pass signed? SLO. Want to know what's going on this weekend? SLO. Have a problem? SLO. The faculty in the Student Life Office has it all down and running smoothly. As for the Flik dining staff, you won’t walk into the servery without them playing great music and having positive energy! They say food tastes better when it’s made with love, and it sure does when it’s made by the dining staff here at Berkshire!
Head of School
No better way to conclude our section than talking about our favored Head of School, Mr. Mulder. Mr. Mulder is vastly involved in the community and is constantly seen interacting with all students and faculty. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never seen any other head of school stand on the steps of Berkshire Hall in the morning, greeting each individual by their name as they walk in! He knows everyone's name, their story, their background, and he's always there with a warm and approachable smile. You can also find him watching every sports event he can attend, or you might even catch him playing melodic tunes on the piano in the atrium of Berkshire Hall.
Academic Resources Under the Mountain
Academic Resources Under the Mountain
Having trouble with schoolwork or you're curious how to get the most out of your academic spaces outside of class? We're Jacob, Kaleb, and Runqi, and we're here to tell you all about some of the academic resources available to you while you're here at Berkshire! Keep in mind that every student uses these resources in some form or another, and that they're all designed to help us succeed.
First of all, your teachers are always available to you for extra help outside of class, not to mention your advisor or form dean is always there to help from an overall perspective or in case you need specific guidance or advice, and we also have a learning center, The Kenefick Center for Learning (KCL) that specializes in tutoring or student-specific learning differences or executive functioning... but in your day-to-day, here are some great resources to take advantage of on your own:
The MRC
The Math Resource Center (MRC) is a space available to all students who need help with their math homework or preparing for an assessment. The MRC is staffed with teachers and peer tutors who work hard to support students of all abilities. Its main purpose is to help students gain the confidence needed to complete work efficiently and succeed in math. From a single question to a full recap of a concept, you can find a math department faculty member or peer tutor who can help you individually or in a group setting at the MRC. It’s super helpful to receive feedback and advice from our peers at the MRC who may have struggled with the same concepts and may have intuitive ways of tackling them. This is why so many of us love to visit the MRC during study hall.
The Writing Center
The Writing Center is where students go to get their written work peer-reviewed. Our peer tutors provide assistance with class writing projects while encouraging students’ growth as writers and scholars, even with research projects or written work of any kind. If you need guidance on your writing or need someone to take a look at your paper before you submit it, the Writing Center is available to you in Room 212 of Berkshire Hall, Sunday through Thursday from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Geier Library
If you find it easier to lock in and get work done outside of your room, try visiting Geier Library. Our library is a quiet space meant to support students with their academic studies, a place to relax, and for checking out books. You’ll have access to our Berkshire librarians who offer individualized support for research assignments and other projects. As a Berkshire student, Geier Library also grants you free access to top-level research journals and newspaper subscriptions. The Information Technology (IT) Department is also conveniently located in the library and provides technical support for students and faculty on an as-needed basis. It’s a beautiful space for everything, whether it’s getting work done, relaxing during a free period, or spending some downtime on weekends. It’s a fun space for watching movies with friends on Saturday nights too.
Crawford Lecture Hall
On the second floor of Morgan-Bellas-Dixon (MBD), you’ll find our biggest lecture room, Crawford Family Lecture Hall. Crawford is an excellent resource, especially for freshmen, but for all students too. It is open during study hall time, 8:00 to 10:00 pm on academic days, for students who are looking for quiet places to study other than the library. There is often a junior or senior proctor on duty alongside a faculty member, all of whom are available to help students with homework or study skills and make sure Crawford continues to be an accommodating space for everyone. I love coming to Crawford on Monday nights, as I tend to get more work done in this space, and it starts my week strong. I enjoy the whiteboard space to do my math and physics homework, and there is easy access to printers for English or history work. Make sure to take advantage of Crawford for a change of scenery during study hall!
The Language Center
The Language Center is where students go to get help with their homework for either their French, Spanish, Mandarin, or Latin foreign language classes. Our peer tutors provide assistance with class assignments while encouraging students’ growth as confident speakers of another language. If you need help memorizing vocabulary, practicing verb conjugations, or test preparation, visit us in the Language Center in Room 212 of Berkshire Hall, Monday through Friday from 7:00 to 9:00 pm on specific days posted.
The Music Center
The Music Center is an excellent space to practice during study hall or free periods for students who pursue music. It is located on the third floor of the campus center, and it is filled with practice rooms! During study hall, this secure space is supervised by wonderful students currently enrolled in music courses, who can provide feedback at any time. As a violinist, I personally find this space very helpful for practicing for the musical performances that happen throughout the school year.
We hope you've enjoyed learning a little bit more about the great resources awaiting you!
Sports & Clubs At Berkshire
Sports & Clubs At Berkshire
Hi Bears! We are Wes, Julio, and Danel, and we can’t wait to meet you all under the Mountain in the fall. We want to tell you a little bit about the sports and club culture here at Berkshire.
Sports and other afternoon activities like art options or community service meet after classes, usually around 3:30 pm for practices in their designated spaces, and then we hold games in the afternoons on Wednesdays and Saturdays. These games are some of the highlights of our Berkshire experiences. There's nothing better than seeing teams walk to matches in their Berkshire green uniforms, hyped for action and ready for their opponents. In the fall, the Football team plays in a huge blackout game during the Homecoming weekend, as well as another huge blackout game for Boys Varsity Soccer. Right before we head home for break, some of our teams play in playoff games, which is super exciting!
In the winter, the Boy's Varsity Hockey team plays our rivals Taft in the D’Arco Cup. Each year, the game alternates between being home and away, and everyone dresses in pink and brings posters to the game. Whether it’s home or away, we always have a huge fan section cheering on our bears! The Girls Varsity Hockey team also plays in a charity game, Skate For Her, where there is a new charity chosen each year by the seniors. Both games are huge events on campus with most students coming out and supporting their friends and classmates! Another highlight of our winter sports is a girls' varsity basketball game, called the “Wil Smith” game. This is a tribute to Wil Smith, a former faculty member and basketball coach at Berkshire. There is a fundraiser in honor of him and his battle with cancer, in which bracelets are sold around campus, and you'll often see t-shirts with his catch phrase, 'Keep Working'. This is another opportunity where the student life body comes together to support each other and the girls in a game bigger than themselves.
Spring is the best season for sports at Berkshire. You get to see the chrome-dome shiny helmets from Varsity Lacrosse, Track runners zooming around the track, and baseball players showing off their sunglasses. Spring brings the best out of Berkshire's sports culture. Everyone loves going out and watching as many games as possible. Our spring sports are Tennis, Lacrosse, Baseball, Track and Field, Golf, and Rowing (plus RKMP and art options). This means that you have multiple opportunities to participate in our sports community during the spring. In the spring the, Girls Varsity Lacrosse team hosts a 'One Love' game with food trucks afterward. Throughout all of the seasons and through all levels of teams, there are also senior nights where we celebrate the seniors on each team with posters and decorations. Each year new traditions and games are made, making the afternoons and weekends one of the most enjoyable parts of Berkshire. We also can’t forget the unofficial tradition of almost every spring team jumping into the water hole. During the spring, once the reservoir overflows from the rain, the water will flow through Berkshire’s campus, and between the track and baseball field, there is a hole that fills up with water deep enough that every team loves to go for a plunge after every practice and game.
Clubs are also a big part of the afternoons here at Berkshire, to explore deeper passions and to create deeper connections (and this doesn't even cover our many affinity spaces which is another aspect of our DEI work or other leadership opportunities). Some clubs meet in the evenings after practice, such as the Astronomy Club which usually meets when it's dark enough at night, some will meet during the club meeting block on week 2 Tuesdays, and some clubs such as the Radio Club meet depending on whenever students are scheduled to host shows during study hall. We have a long list of clubs that exist at Berkshire, and every student also has the option of creating their own or resurrecting ones from the past. Below is a small snapshot of what you might find here at Berkshire... and who knows, maybe you have ideas for one of your own:
1907 Society
4th Soccer Club
African Cooking Club
Artificial Intelligence Club
Astronomy Club
Baking Club
Bears Coding Club
Cancer Awareness Club
Chess Club
Community Service
Debate Club
Dog Walkers Club
Embrace Her Berkshire Chapter
First Aid Club
Fly Fishing
French Club
Games Club
GSA
Green and Gray Newspaper
Green Key Society
Investment Club
Letters of Love
Math Club
Model UN
Outdoors Club
Robotics/Bearbotics
Strength Club
Sustainability Club
WBSL 91.7 Radio Club
The Arts @ Berkshire!
The Arts @ Berkshire!
Hello, new Bears! We're Chidera Okeke and Sophie Benjamin, and we'd love to share more about our arts programming here at Berkshire.
Visual Arts:
Chidera here, and while I’m a Stanley Prefect, I’m also heavily involved in the arts via AP art, theater, stage management, and graphic design. I’ll be talking about the visual arts at Berkshire.
We offer 5 different visual arts classes: studio, digital, ceramics, sculpture, and photography. Each of these classes has four levels: introductory, intermediate, advanced, and Advanced Placement. This is not based on your skill level but rather on how many years you’ve spent in the visual art program. I’m currently taking studio art at the AP level; however, last year I was intermediate, and the year before that I was in the introductory level. I’ve grown so much as an artist in the past three years as an artist. We started with skill-building projects in the intro level, and as I progressed in the arts, I gained more independence over my work and eventually got to the AP level. At the AP level, I sustained an investigation for the entire year and worked with multiple media outlets. My investigation was escapism, and to convey this, I oil painted on a giant canvas, carved into a textbook, and used colored pencil on sheets of paper. I’m excited to start a new investigation next year in AP Studio Art II.
There are also ways to get involved outside of the classroom, whether it be through the art option (which is offered during the Afternoon Activity block for all three seasons) or going to the studio after school or during study hall. For example, outside of classes, I spend time working on posters for school events like Capriccio and the fall play. I am, personally, also a very big fan of going during exam weeks to destress. The art wing is open every weekday from 8 am to 10 pm and on weekends from 1 pm to 5 pm. There are also opportunities to engage with the visual arts in the art gallery, where we have about 5 installations per year. Some of my favorite galleries are the senior selfies and AP student exhibits, which happen every year and commemorate time spent at Berkshire. All incoming students are required to take one year of an art class, so you might as well just make the most of it. Visual Arts at Berkshire provides opportunities to go on off-campus trips, engage with the community in a new way, and see the world through a new perspective.
Whether you’ve never worked with a camera before, have been painting since birth, or are somewhere in between, the arts at Berkshire provide an opportunity to explore avenues you didn’t even think of going down.
Performing Arts:
Hi everyone, I’m Sophie and I’ll be telling you all a bit about the performing arts at Berkshire.
Performing arts are a pivotal part of many people’s Berkshire experience. Whether through classes like A Cappella Ensemble, Chamber Music, Jazz Band, Digital Music, Music Theory, Acting, or our brand new Intro to Guitar class, there truly is something for everyone. You can also get involved outside of the classroom. We have afternoon activities like Theater, Dance, or Music Intensive.
Theater is considered a “three-season activity.” In the fall, we do a full-length play; in the winter, we put on a musical (most recently, we celebrated the 60th anniversary of the winter musical by putting on Mamma Mia!). And in the spring, we perform a few short plays “in-the-round” style, with the audience sitting on the stage.
But what if you don’t want a time-intensive commitment? Well, this is where our evening clubs come in. We have Berkshire Improv (otherwise known as BIMP) or our A cappella clubs, Ursa Minor and Greensleeves.
As for me, I began my artistic journey at Berkshire with our A Cappella Ensemble course during my freshman year. The environment was warm and welcoming, and through many months of daily rehearsals, I built the confidence to audition for the Western District Choir. I made the choir, and eventually, made my way to the All-State choir. Meanwhile, I was participating in my first theater performance at Berkshire. I was featured ensemble in Matilda, where I played a dance teacher. Though I had never danced before, I quickly fell in love and decided to join the dance team that spring. The next year, I did the fall play, where I was introduced to stage managing. That winter, I auditioned for the musical and was thrilled when I got to play Cinderella in Into the Woods. Junior year, I pivoted from A Cappella Ensemble to Music Theory, where I gained the skills and knowledge to write a piece for the entire Chamber Music Ensemble. Finally, I was in the 60th anniversary of the winter musical, and was introduced to directing in the spring play.
As far as performances go, there are three theater performances, three dance concerts, two music concerts (featuring A Cappella Ensemble, Chamber Music, Jazz Band, Digital Music, and both of our A Cappella clubs). We also have various other performances throughout the year, such as two performances from BIMP, Cabaret, Jazz café, Cappriccio (featuring original compositions from the Music Theory students), and our Songwriting and Digital Music Showcase. Clearly, there are many ways to get involved, regardless of your level of experience.
Through the countless opportunities and support systems in the arts at Berkshire, I have come to the decision to pursue a career in theater, something that would not have been possible had I not been given the opportunity to push myself. Even by just going to see the countless shows and performances throughout the year, the arts have impacted nearly every student on campus, so be sure to check them out!
Bon Appetit at Berkshire
Bon Appetit at Berkshire
Hi Bears! We are Emmanuel and Run, one of the new all-school presidents and Mac prefects next year. Here you can explore your food options at Berkshire and off-campus.
The Dining Hall: This year, we are lucky to enjoy the newly renovated Campus Center, which is a great place to spend time with friends. The Campus Center features different student lounges and our brand new dining hall with amazing food options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The dining hall is open from 7:00 am to 9:00 am for breakfast, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm for lunch, and 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm for dinner. On Sundays, brunch is available from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm, where you can enjoy freshly made-to-order omelets from the master chef.
We are very lucky to have an awesome and caring dining crew on campus through Flik Dining Services. They are always open to feedback and eager to help students navigate the dining hall, especially with any dietary needs or allergies. There are always secondary options, such as gluten-free bread and desserts. If you're wondering what the meals are for the day, you can find the menu on Berkshire’s website (it's probably the most checked page on a daily basis!) or you can download the FlikIsDining App.
There are plenty of food options across all of the different hot line stations, not to mention a brand new pizza oven, and you can always get creative making your own meal with the rice bar, pasta bar, sandwich and bagel bar, salad bar, soup bar, and making use of the panini press. Some of our favorite Flik meals include avocado toast day, dumpling day, make-your-own tacos, and crepes at Sunday brunch!
Shawn's Place: Hey, new bears, it's Emmanuel, and I will tell you about one of the favourite spots on campus. Shawn’s Place is one of my go-to spots on campus, and as Berkshire's student snack bar, it's considered the hub of student life for many of us on campus. Whether I’m grabbing a smoothie, a milkshake, or a chicken quesadilla after practice—or just catching up with friends in between classes—it’s always a chill place to hang out. It’s cozy, welcoming, and the heart of student life outside of the classroom. It’s right next to the ping pong table, where I spend a lot of time, so if I’m ever a little hungry, I just take a few steps and I’m at Shawn’s. Most days it opens mid-morning to afternoon, and sometimes for dinner or even into study hall. Shawn's serves bagel sandwiches, wraps, burgers, fries, and much more! My go-to Shawn's order is a buffalo chicken wrap with fries and two cookies, one for me and one for a friend. Shawn's also has a variety of drinks and candy if you're craving something sweet midway through your day. Hanging out in Shawns is a great way to meet upperclassmen, underclassmen, and people in your own class, so grab a friend and go split some fries!
The Bookstore: Berkshire’s bookstore houses most of your needs, from toiletries to Berkshire merch to school supplies. They also have a variety of different snacks, which you can stock up on for your dorm or grab on the way to practice or between classes. For your room, they have many of the popular snacks you buy at the grocery store (my favorites are the buffalo pretzel thins :). In terms of grab-and-go snacks, they have an assortment of chocolate bars, granola bars, and individual serving items. My favorite from the grab-and-go would probably be the Nutella dippers. The bookstore staff is also so nice and accommodating and if you have a favorite snack you don’t see there, toiletries you need, or Berkshire gear you wish they had, they will be happy to order it for you! The bookstore is open Monday-Saturday during the typical school hours and a little bit after.
Delivery to Campus: If you want a change from dining hall food, there are amazing local restaurants in the Berkshires in general, but especially in Sheffield, Great Barrington, or down in Lakeville. Some fan favorite restaurants include Bistro Box, Soco, Number Ten, Bizen, and The East. And when you can't always get off campus with your advisor or your parents, or even one of our weekend town trips, Berkshire offers pre- or post-study hall delivery from lots of local restaurants, and we'll mention at least three of them.
Roma's and Neo's are pizza restaurants around 15 minutes away and they have a variety of different foods aside from pizza, such as wraps, salads, pasta, sandwiches, and chicken tenders. Despite all the options they offer, Roma’s pizza is by far their most popular menu item among the students. A new addition to the delivery services and lots of people's new favorite is Roberto’s, also sells pizza, salads, chicken tenders, and more! Roberto's vodka sauce pizza and garlic knots are a must-try at some point in your Berkshire experience. Sharing a pizza or some appetizers with friends can be a great pre-study hallway to bond and hang out. It is also the perfect fuel to get you through days when you have lots of homework to do! Just be sure to order by 6, so that they can get your food delivered by 7:25-7:45.
Instacart also delivers to Berkshire from 2 local supermarkets, so you can stock up on any food you want that the bookstore may not offer. Usually, your order will come to you in 2-4 hours. Although stocking your room with snacks from the grocery store is always fun, my favorite way to use Instacart is to order Dunkin on the weekends or during a sleep-in. There is no better feeling than waking up and knowing you have a coffee and donut waiting for you!
Something relatively new is that DoorDash has come to our area! Lots of Bears utilize DoorDash to order food at times when places like Roma's or Roberto's are not delivering. Needless to say, there are so many ways to find the food that you want and like while at Berkshire!
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