North Berkshire Community Dance

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WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass — On May 11, North Berkshire Community Dance will hold its monthly contra dance with calling (teaching) by Quena Crain, and live traditional fiddle music by masters of the New England contra dance repertoire.
 
The dance will run from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. in the Community Hall of the First Congregational Church, 906 Main St., Williamstown. Admission is pay-as-you-can, $12 to $20 suggested.   For more information, visit www.NorthBerkshireDance.org.
 
According to a press release:
 
Contra dancing is a contemporary take on a living tradition. The music is live, the dances are taught, and anyone is welcome, with or without a partner — people change partners fluidly for each dance.  The caller teaches dance moves and skills as needed.
 
Quena Crain will call (teach) all dances, starting the evening with easy dances friendly to newcomers and families with children.
 
Music will be provided by Mary Cay Brass, Laurie Indenbaum, and Andy Davis
 
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Teacher of the Month: Frani Miceli

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

Students say teacher Frani Miceli makes learning fun.  
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Williamstown Elementary School fifth-grade teacher Frani Miceli has been selected as the July Teacher of the Month. 
 
The Teacher of the Month series, in collaboration with Berkshire Community College, will run for the next 12 months and will feature distinguished teachers nominated by community members. You can nominate a teacher here. 
 
Miceli has been teaching for 26 years and has worked to develop a happy, comfortable, and creative learning environment for her pupils.
 
Through her connection with her students and the decor on her classroom walls, Miceli hopes to help them realize that being kind is possible. 
 
"I have a thing on my wall that says, 'Character is what you do when no one is watching.' So, I hope that they have internalized that," Miceli said. 
 
"We make personal decisions because it's the right thing to do, and sometimes our actions can negatively impact other people, and sometimes they can positively impact other people. So I think happy kids make happy choices, and so I just want them to be happy, engaged children"
 
Every single one of her students in her morning math class jumped at the opportunity to praise their  teacher. 
 
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