Art
Mrs. Verity Amato
I am very excited to be teaching Art here at Riverside Middle School. I grew up on the coast of Massachusetts and moved out to Colorado 16 years ago. I went to College for Art in Massachusetts and Canterbury, England. One of my favorite jobs was painting murals for commercial and residential buildings. In my own artistic pursuits I enjoy creating metal art, pyrography, painting and creating art on everyday objects.
Contact Mrs. Amato:
Phone: 970-665-7833
Email: [email protected]
Health
Mr. Chris Ozminkowski
Hi there, my name is Chris Ozminkowski. I teach Health for all grades here at Riverside and I love it!! I’ve spent most of my life in the midwest frequenting Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota but ever since I’ve made it out to Colorado, I can’t think of any better place to be. I coach Cross Country at Coal Ridge High School in the Fall and Track here at Riverside in the spring so if you are a runner, or maybe one day turn into one, you'll see me! You may also find me climbing rocks or ice somewhere in the area. New Castle is incredible, Riverside is incredible, and I suppose that is all you really need to know.
Contact Mr. Ozminkowski:
Phone: 970-665-7834
Email: [email protected]
Band
Mr. Jay Duclo
I spent my young years in Minnesota where my father worked as a design engineer and factory racer for Polaris Snowmobiles. It was there that I was introduced to music.
My mother put me in Guitar Class in 4th grade and Piano Lessons in 6th grade.
I joined Concert Band as a 7th grader and played the trumpet (I still play that same trumpet).
The summer before high school, we moved to Hotchkiss CO where I continued in music ultimately earning a scholarship to Western State College in Gunnison where I completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education. My first teaching job was in Ridgeway, CO followed by several years in Cedaredge. Seventeen years ago, my wife and I moved to Garfield County and I have been teaching here ever since. This is my 33rd year teaching band - 25 of which was at the high school level. Believe it or not, Middle School is my favorite.
When I have spare time, I like to ride bikes, run, and play with my motorcycles.
I also enjoy playing the trombone in the Glenwood Springs’ “Symphony in the Valley”.
Contact Mr. Duclo:
Phone: 970-665-7828
Email: [email protected]
PE
Ms. Molly Peterson
Hi there! My name is Molly Peterson and I am very excited to be teaching Physical Education and Outdoor Ed here at Riverside Middle School. I was born in Providence, RI, but spent all my younger years in Michigan where my family introduced me to many different activities, fitness, and the outdoors. I graduated from Michigan State University in Elementary Education. Because of several family vacations to Colorado, I knew this area was where I wanted to end up. I moved out to the valley promptly after completing my student teaching.
My first teaching job was at Rifle Middle School in 2009, followed by Riverside, Glenwood Middle School, then back to Riverside. You may remember me as a math teacher, as I've been teaching math since I began teaching. But, I am excited to follow my passions of fitness and outdoor education.
In my spare time, I like to climb, mountain bike, hike, camp, ski tour, and go canyoneering. I'd love to share some of my adventures with you, if you ask!
Contact Ms. Peterson
Phone: 970-665-7847
Email: [email protected]
Mr. Seth Luebbe
My name is Mr. Luebbe. I am the Physical Education teacher here at Riverside. I graduated from Sam Houston State University with a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology. Prior to that I spent 5 years in the United States Marine Corps. I am also the head 8th grade football & boys basketball coach.
Contact Mr. Luebbe:
Phone: 970-665-7843
Email: [email protected]
Technology
Mr. Pat Wild
Hello there everyone and anyone who is reading this, my name is Patrick Wild. As a kiddo, I grew up with two brothers and two sisters that kept my life pretty busy. My father was in the military so we traveled many places overseas and here in the United States. Being in an athletic family made it easy for me to get engaged in sports but it wasn’t until I was a young teenager that I fell in love with the mountains. For many years up near Crested Butte, CO I was a raft guide in the summer and ski/snowboard instructor in the winter. What an exciting lifestyle! Additionally, I was a camera operator for the X-Games in San Diego as well as in San Francisco and competed in the U.S. Snowboard Extremes, later becoming the Head Judge. Once I was married I knew the crazy life I had been living needed some structure so I went back to school, earning a teaching license to go along with a BA in business and a minor in technology. I feel so blessed to do two things I hold most dear to my heart; teaching here at Riverside and ski/snowboard instructing in Aspen .
Contact Mr. Wild:
Phone: 970-665-7844
Email: [email protected]
Choir
Ms. Melanie Weber
Hello!! My name is Ms. Weber. I teach Choir, Performing Arts and coach 7th grade volleyball. This is my second year here at Riverside. I grew up in Germany and moved to Colorado 6 years ago and fell in love with the mountains. I earned my bachelor’s in music education k-12 from Western Colorado University and am working towards my master’s in education. I love to sing and travel as well as playing instruments.
Contact Ms. Weber:
Phone: 970-665-6732
Email: [email protected]