Tuesday, September 22, 2026

News and Ideas Worth Sharing

Sheela Clary

Sheela Clary is a writer and teacher born and raised in South Berkshire county. She's interested in exploring the issues that affect the region, and in building community through place-based storytelling classes and events. She teaches Italian language and cooking, as well. Her writing can also be found at her Substack newsletter, Clarity. (https://sheela.substack.com Clarity | Sheela Clary | Substack a periodic, carefully composed newsletter exploring my obsessions, such as the state of our common life in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, the stories of unheard-from people, the beauties of Italian, and the mysteries of good writing. Click to read Clarity, by Sheela Clary, a Substack publication. Launched 8 months ago: sheela.substack.com

written articles

Standardized student tests: To opt out or not opt out?

On the eve of the MCAS testing season there is growing concern among Berkshire educators and parents that the culture of standardized testing is crippling public education by stifling effective and engaging teaching practices. One avenue of protest is for parents to have their children opt out of taking the test.

Ode to Rumpy’s

It’s a Thursday night in January. The kids are in bed. I don’t want to leave my spot on the couch in front of the fire. But karaoke is a primal urge. It must be satisfied.

ESSAY: A girl like me

“Pregnant PA mom of 5 is gunned down in the street.” That’s the headline on Facebook, with a photo of a pretty, dark-skinned girl who looks about 18.

Review: ‘Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis’: What happened to ‘our’ kids? 

Statistic after disheartening statistic, and life after unlucky life, point to the same conclusion: For millions of kids, there is now very little hope of reaching the middle class. Many of "Our Kids" revelations will not be news to anyone whose daily work — emergency room nurses, public defenders, teachers — brings them into contact with the full range of Berkshire County’s economic diversity.

Mother of Dragons meets her match

Mud, done! Onward and upward! I’m gonna show these chicks what walking through fire looks like.
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The Edge Is Free To Read.

But Not To Produce.