Erik Radkiewicz, an accomplished musician and music teacher at Pinole Valley High School, teaches students in his marching band that there are no shortcuts, that practice is crucial and every musician in the band has an important role.
It’s just one of the reasons Radkiewicz is being recognized by the Warren W. Eukel Teacher Trust with the Eukel Award, which is given annually to three exceptional Contra Costa County K-12 classroom teachers, according to the West Contra Costa Unified School District.
Radkiewicz has been no stranger to accolades. He was nominated by WCCUSD as the Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year for 2018-19. He also was awarded the West Contra Costa Public Education Fund’s 2018 Teaching Excellence Award.
Last year, School Band and Orchestra Magazine named Radkiewicz as one of the 50 high school band directors in the country who “make a difference.”
“Erik demands excellence and his students rise to the challenge,” Pinole Valley Principal Kibby Kleiman said in a WCCUSD statement. “Their hard work and commitment has made the marching band the soul of our school.”
Learn more about the Eukel Award online at here.
