Sunset's Radtke named Educator of the Year

Sunset Elementary physical education teacher Nels Radtke received the "Educator of the Year" award from the West Plains Chamber of Commerce at the Best of the West Gala hosted by the chamber Oct. 26.

Radtke has been teaching young students at Sunset for more than 10 years. He is also the coach for the varsity girls soccer team at Cheney High School and teaches a before-school fitness club for students in the spring.

His selection for the accolade came as a total surprise, Radtke said.

"It was a complete shock to me," Radtke added. "That blew me away, because it's not something I ever would have expected."

Radtke was nominated by Sunset Elementary Principal Ty McGregor, who threw Radtke's name into the ring due to his meticulous lesson preparation and commitment to a variety of programs to help his students.

It's not only the activities he comes up with, but the way he uses technology in the classroom - using full-wall projections that kids can interact with," McGregor said.

McGregor said that Radtke invests his time to several events outside of the school day, including dances and the end of the year "Field Day."

"I have been in education for over 16 years and I can honestly say, I have not seen an educator spend so much time creating programs that motivate, engage and inspire students like Mr. Radtke has done for our students," McGregor wrote in Radtke's nomination letter. "Overwhelmingly when asked, our students at Sunset say PE is their favorite subject."

Radtke implements creative and unusual activities to engage students, like live versions of popular computer and video games like "Frogger" and "Mario Cart." He also implemented an obstacle course inspired by the television show "American Ninja Warrior," McGregor said.

"It's the different things like that that really get their attention," Radtke said of his students. "It sets us apart from other elementaries in the area - we do things way outside the box."

The West Plains Chamber of Commerce selects one K-12 educator from Cheney Public Schools and Medical Lake Public Schools to receive the honor. According to chamber documents, the award is meant to recognize someone "who opens student minds and expands the realm of the possible for the next generation of local and world leaders."  

"He has a family at home and coaches at the high school and still finds time to do all these things for Sunset," McGregor said. "We're lucky to have him."

Radtke says his teaching style is inspired by the students themselves.

"It's fun for the kids and it's fun for me, and seeing their excitement makes all the time and effort worth it," he said. "It's one of the reasons I think I have the best job in the world."

Shannen Talbot can be reached at [email protected].