Northern Berkshire Adult Education -

The Adult Education Program, as part of North Adams Public Schools, is seeking community volunteers to support the HiSET testing center. This opportunity includes a 1–3 hour time commitment per session proctoring the administration of HiSET exams.

Selected volunteers must complete the required training to become testing proctors. Trained proctors are also required to pass a CORI/SORI check and be fingerprinted.

Those interested in becoming a HiSET volunteer can contact Kate Merrigan at kmerrigan@naspk12.org or at 413-412-1118.

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Hello NBAE students, colleagues, and friends! I am so excited to be working with you in this new role.

You might recognize me from my past work with BART Charter Public School, the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition (nbCC), or my time on the North Adams City Council. Also, even though it closed 20 years ago, people are often more likely to recognize me from my years working behind the counter at the Appalachian Bean Café. I’ve been lucky to have these roles that I’ve loved in which I’ve been able to work with people in our region to improve their lives and our community. I’m passionate about making people feel seen, heard, and taken seriously and equipping folks with the resources and support they need to thrive.

A lifelong resident of North Adams and graduate of North Adams Public Schools, I’m thrilled to now be working with NAPS as the Director of Northern Berkshire Adult Education and 21st Century Programming! I’ve heard many wonderful things from Annie, our outgoing Director (and new NAPS Assistant Superintendent!) about the work of NBAE and the people involved.

So far, everyone I’ve met has been warm and welcoming and I am grateful for it. I look forward to meeting more of you soon as well as being reconnected with old friends along the way!

-Kate Merrigan

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Sarah Schmidt coached HiSET students for 10 years in Missouri before moving to the Berkshires in 2023 and continuing her adult ed work here. She loves teaching and enjoys all the HiSET topics, including math! Her first career was newspaper and magazine journalism, after which she returned to university to get state certified (in MO) as an elementary teacher. In addition to adult education, she coaches college essay writing and leads tours at the Clark Art Institute. In her spare time, she loves playing with her ginger cat, Zeus.

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