Schools
Dublin Teacher Named 2023 All-Star Teacher Award, Wins $30K For DUSD
Erik Bertelson, who has taught music at Wells Middle School since 1979, was named an "All-Star" at an Oracle Park ceremony.
DUBLIN, CA — Beloved Wells Middle School band teacher Erik Bertelson stood in the middle of Oracle Park Saturday, right before a game against the Diamondbacks, to be crowned the 2023 All-Star Teacher Award by NBC Sports Bay Area and Provident Credit Union. Bertelson stood next to Giants coaches Mark Hallberg and Kai Correa to receive the $30,000 check awarded to the winner.
At the start of the next school year, representatives from NBC will visit Wells to present Bertelson and the school with a check, so that the school community can experience a similar moment, DUSD spokesperson Chip Dehnert told Patch.
Bertelson has taught at Wells since 1979, and was selected as a finalist in April based on four categories: overall commitment; excellence in teaching; rapport with students; and level of distinction. Voting was open to the public, and the Dublin community showed up in force, giving him more votes than the four other finalists.
Bertelson currently teaches Beginning Band, Concert Band, and Advanced 6th Grade Band. His NBC Sports biography notes that he has taught the children of former students, and makes sure to impart a love of music and life lessons into his teaching.
Bertelson has received numerous awards over the years, including the 2022 Mayor’s Legacy Award, 2015 Northern California Band Association’s Outstanding Junior High Band Director, 2006 Mayor’s Award, and 2006 Alameda County Teacher of the Year.
“Mr. Bertelson is a true icon in our community,” DUSD Superintendent Chris Funk said in an April statement. “His positive impact over the last 44 years can be felt and heard through the thousands of students who have had the privilege of being in his classroom. He truly is an extraordinary educator. We are the lucky ones and feel an immense amount of respect, pride, and appreciation for him and all he has done for Dublin, and the Bay Area.”
“It gets better every year, I just can’t believe it,” Bertelson said in a recent video interview. “I just love it. We are all a team. It is a positive team to be involved with, everyone supports one another, they take care of one another, and that then enables them to develop a lot of confidence which carries over to other classes and out into the community.”
To learn more about Bertelson and the other nominees, visit nbcsports.com.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
