By the BP Editorial Board

Shalhevet has a Hall of Fame. No, not some building or display case that houses memorabilia of legendary athletes. It’s more like a list of the most illustrious administrators and faculty members the school has ever had. People who didn’t positively affect just the school, but also the students. Perhaps they even saved Shalhevet from a financial crisis or two. 

Add two more names to the list. A motorcycle-riding, zen master wanna-be, and a subtle but brilliant 17-time all-star have just been unanimously inducted. 

Dano and Ms. Berkey, leaving this month, have incalculably contributed to the school and to all of our lives. Both are English teachers and both are known for their brilliance and senses of humor, but each brought unique qualities to the school and they ultimately complemented one another.

Dano harnessed the school’s energy into passion. As General Studies principal, he spearheaded the Just Community, arranged big meetings on giant topics when he thought we needed it, and brought a terrific aura and vibrant atmosphere to the school — and he enjoyed every minute of it, which made us enjoy it too.  

Ms. Berkey employed that passion into structure and fundamentals, and she always had a smile on her face, whether after making a snarky comment or because she’d had another great conversation with a student or a whole class.  As Department Chair and then Humanities Dean she  inspired a dozen years of English teachers behind her and we hear she was pretty great at faculty meetings, too.

Bottom line, this Dano-Berkey fusion led to better Gatsby essays and King Lear insights. It deepened students’ appreciation for literature, philosophy, culture and film. It helped us all find meaning in the text and learn thereby to write with meaning, too. 

So farewell Ms. Berkey and Mr. Danovitch. Thank you for all that you’ve done for the school. We know you will succeed in the future in whatever you set out to do.  We are broken-hearted to see you go.

And welcome to the Shalhevet Hall of Fame.