Michele Puleri (CAGS ‘02) was one of three educators recognized by the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) at the 2019 Berkshire County Educator Awards. Michele has been a fifth-grade teacher since 2005 at Lee Elementary School. Standing in the center of the photo, she is joined on the left by the other recipients, Kathleen Erickson and Lisa Corkins, and on the right by the MCLA Vice President of Academic Affairs Emily Allen Williams and North Adams Public Schools Superintendent Barbara Malkas. The Berkshire County Educator Awards are co-presented by MCLA, Berkshire County K-12 Superintendents Roundtable and Berkshire Community College. Prior to her current teaching role, Puleri has held numerous other positions at Lee Public Schools, including special education teacher and peer education teacher. She has served as the coordinator for new teacher mentoring for the district since 2017. She is also serves on the board of the Lee Youth Association and coaches soccer and basketball. She holds a bachelor of science degree in elementary education from Springfield College, a master of education degree from American International College and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership from Cambridge College. Lee Public Schools Superintendent Howard "Jake" Eberwein said, "Michele is a teacher-among-teachers and is a passionate educator who is truly committed to the success of every child, and service to her community. Michele accepts this award on behalf the many exceptional educators in the Lee Public Schools and across the Berkshires."
