In The News: Ritchee Price Named East Bay Teacher Of The Year

Richard Price said he’s not above calling a parent at dinner time — or at work — if their kids get out of line during band practice at Portsmouth Middle School.

An accomplished musician himself, Mr. Price said he’s had a reputation of being "very tough" ever since he began his teaching career over 20 years ago at Bishop Hendricken. Neither the parents nor students are complaining, however — far from it.

"They see that I’m fair," said Mr. Price, a Riverside resident who’s been at the middle school since 2000. "There are kids who are quiet and they want to get things done. Then all of the sudden you have a kid over her who’s goofing, and I’ll go after that kid who’s goofing. And then you see other kids going, ‘I want to be here to play music, not to hear the teacher screaming and hollering.’ "

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