The 2023 recipient of the Walter A. Brodniak Cultural Education Award is AMS/AHS band director Christopher Dyel. Parent Shannon Westerman nominated Dyel “because he is a rare type of teacher who has both an expertise and talent in his area of teaching (music/band), as well as the ability to teach, inspire and lead.” 

Fidalgo music teacher and former Brodniak Award recipient Tina Martin said the value of music education cannot be understated, and thanks to dedicated professionals like Dyel, the district continues to excel and create. 

“Chris gives our students unique opportunities to express themselves creatively and builds their confidence in a ripple effect across our community,” Martin said. “Often he goes from one event/performance to another with no down time. Teaching students and the community on the importance of music never stops.”

The Walter A. Brodniak Cultural Education Award was created in 1977, upon Mr. Brodniak's retirement as Superintendent of the Anacortes School District, "to foster growth of the cultural arts in the District." The award is given each spring to a student, faculty member, administrator, school director, community member or community organization that has made an outstanding contribution to the cultural arts in the Anacortes School District during the current school year.

Dyel, who is completing his 6th year in the district, said he’s both flattered and deeply grateful to have been selected for the Brodniak Award. 

“It shows how much the Anacortes community appreciates the arts as a whole, and specifically in my case, the incomparable quality of life that instrumental music education brings to kids,” Dyel said.

Dyel will be recognized at the school board meeting on May 18th at 6:15 p.m. in the AHS library.

Questions? Contact the Superintendent’s Office (360) 503-1211 or ntesch@asd103.org