Art
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 14 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.
Phone: 970-665-7833
Email: [email protected]
Health
Mr. 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.
Phone: 970-665-7834
Email: [email protected]
Band
Mr. Jay Duclo
Born in Kimball Nebraska - January 23, 1965.
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 Ridgway CO followed by several years in Cedaredge. Sixteen years ago, my wife and I moved to Garfield County and I have been teaching here ever since. This is my 32th year teaching band at all levels and 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 in Glenwood Springs’ “Symphony in the Valley” where I’m a member of the low brass section.
PE
Mrs. Kerrie Melby I grew up in Greeley, Co. Graduated from Greeley Central and Cosmetology School (Vo-Tech program) at the same time. I received my Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education at Mesa State and Master's in second language acquisition at Colorado Mesa University. I have lived in Glenwood Springs with my husband and kids for 30 years. This is my 25th year in education. I am going on my 18th year at Riverside. I have taught primarily Physical Education and Math.
Phone: 970-665-7847
Email: [email protected]
Mr. Seth Luebbe
Phone: 970-665-7843
Email: [email protected]
Technology
Mr. 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 degree in teaching to go along with a BA in business. I feel so blessed to do two things I hold most dear to my heart. Teaching here at Riverside and instructing at Aspen, Buttermilk.
Phone: 970-665-7844
Email: [email protected]
Choir
Ms. Melanie Weber
Hello!! My name is Ms. Weber. I am teaching Choir and Performing Arts. This is my first year here at Riverside. I grew up in Germany and moved to Colorado 5 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 and baking.
Phone: 970-665-6732
Email: [email protected]