Rockwell nets $148,000 "Museums for America" grant

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The Institute of Museum and Library Services has awarded $148,625 in the form of a "Museums for America" grant to the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Congressman John W. Olver announced on Wednesday. "Museums for America" grants support hands-on educational programs, the digitization of museum collections and ventures using new technology. Museums use these funds to advance community partnerships, spur cultural tourism and support classroom teachers with educational curriculum and training. "Norman Rockwell's artwork preserves special places, people and times in our nation's history," Olver said. "Not only will this grant allow the Norman Rockwell Museum to do some critical work to improve access to its collections, this funding will help continue the success of the Norman Rockwell Museum so that people can enjoy his artwork for generations to come." Norman Rockwell Museum Director Laurie Norton Moffatt said, "The Norman Rockwell Museum is thrilled to receive support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services to make our Norman Rockwell archives accessible. Through the generosity of IMLS, the Museum is able to continue to achieve the highest standards for essential care, preservation and accessibility for the largest and most significant collection of Norman Rockwell's art and archives." The Norman Rockwell Museum will protect and disseminate the cultural heritage of the 20th century American artist Norman Rockwell by hiring two collections interns to inventory and catalog the museum's voluminous art and archival collections. The funds will also support research with the addition of a webmaster, Web access software and the design and architectural framework necessary to create a searchable database for worldwide audiences.
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Teacher of the Month: Cindy Chevett

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

Cindy Chevett has been with Head Start her entire career. She says teaching is challenging but also very rewarding. 
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire County Head Start preschool teacher Cindy Chevett has been selected as the August Teacher of the Month. 
 
The Teacher of the Month series, in collaboration with Berkshire Community College, will run for the next nine months and will feature distinguished teachers nominated by community members. You can nominate a teacher here
 
To Chevett, the best part of being a teacher is seeing her students achieve even just the little things, such as writing the letter E or their name. 
 
"It is the best job ever," she says with a smile and tears in her eyes as she says, "I love seeing them achieve."  
 
She said although teaching can be challenging, the classroom environment is very fun and the job is very rewarding. 
 
"There's children that come in and can't really speak so that you can understand them, and modeling, and when they leave the classroom, you can understand them. That was one of my best achievements with the child," Chevett said. 
 
In Chevett's classroom, the students take control of their learning, instilling in them a love of learning. 
 
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