On April 10th, Azusa Pacific University (APU) Murrieta Regional Center and KATY-FM 101.3, The Mix, honored its March “Teachers Are Heroes” award recipient Richard Dyckman, education specialist, who teaches the 9th and 10th grades at West Valley High School in Hemet, CA.
Dyckman was nominated by instructional aids Joyce Stange and Becky Nolan. Stange said, “Mr. Dyckman takes the roll of teacher, friend, therapist, counselor, and parent. He thinks about the students 24/7 to find the best way to help or save them. Goal: graduation.”
Becky Nolan has worked with Dyckman for three years and said, “He has such compassion for seeing his students succeed. He is always there when his students need him to help with work or they just need to talk.”
In addition, Dyckman oversees the high school’s Yes I Can program. Yes I Can brings together students with and without disabilities with the goal of increasing the social connections and opportunities for students with disabilities who are currently experiencing social isolation.
Mr. Dyckman’s classroom received a pizza party from The Pizza Factory in Temecula and all are invited to attend a special celebration at the Lake Elsinore Storm Stadium which was held on May 28th.