Teachers

Mr. Steven Barkdoll is currently teaching fourth grade at Riverside Prep. He previously taught English in the Republic of Macedonia for the Peace Corps.  After his service in the Peace Corps he worked as a private English teacher in Barcelona, Spain. He enjoyed working with primary grade students teaching them English through debates, music, book clubs and hands on projects.
He received his Bachelor of Psychology at California State University of San Bernardino. At CSUSB he also developed an interest in childhood development working at an inner city high school in San Bernardino County as an RSP Instructional aid.
Since graduating from CSUSB, Mr. Barkdoll has attended and received his multiple subject teaching credential from the University of Redlands. He is currently working towards his Masters in Education from the University of Redlands. This is his first time teaching at Riverside Prep and is excited for the amazing year to come! In his spare time he enjoys playing the guitar, mountain climbing and traveling the world. 

Mrs. Katherine Clark teaches 4th grade at Riverside Prep.  She obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and social behavior from the University of California, Irvine. While working on her undergraduate degree she spent time in Italy tutoring students in English.  She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in education.  In her free time she enjoys knitting, scuba diving, and mountain climbing.

Mr. Collier is one of the 6th Grade teachers. He is in his first year at Riverside Prep.
He taught adult ESL for seven years in Finland. He received his B.A. in History
from Utah State University and his M.A. in Russian and Eastern European Studies
from the University of Helsinki. He received his Teaching Credential from Azusa
Pacific University. Currently, he is in the Doctoral Program at Pioneer University.
In his free time, Mr. Collier enjoys spending time with his family, coaching youth
sports and staying involved in his church. Whether in the classroom or on the field,
Mr. Collier enjoys being with the youth.

Mrs. Conforti has loved teaching as long as she can remember. Before teaching at Oro Grande School District, Mrs. Conforti taught private voice lessons and organized children’s choral programs throughout the High Desert. She is a graduate of Brigham Young University majoring in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in Psychology. She received her teaching credential from the University of Redlands and is now working on her Master’s degree from Pioneer University. Mrs. Conforti loves to spend time with her husband, 6 children, and 4 soon to be 5 grandchildren.
Her hobbies are reading good books, playing the piano and arranging music. Making learning a joyous, relevant and lifelong activity for all her students is her primary goal.

Miss Edwards teaches 5th grade at Riverside Prep and is from Claremont, CA. Miss Edwards earned her Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts from the University of Redlands emphasizing painting and drawing. She also earned her Multiple Subject and Single Subject Art credentials from Redlands and is working toward her Masters in Education. Miss Edwards has experience teaching in Kindergarten, and 4th/5th/6th grade multi-age classrooms in Ontario-Montclair and Claremont Unified School Districts. In her free time she enjoys attending soccer games, spending time with her family and puppy Ziva.

Ms. Evans is teaching sixth grade at Riverside Preparatory this year.   She received her Bachelor’s of Liberal Studies and her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from California State University San Bernardino.  She is currently working on receiving her Master’s Degree from Pioneer University.  She is looking forward to a great year! 

This is my first year teaching at Riverside Prep, and I am so excited to be teaching fourth grade at such a great school.  

I attended California Baptist University and graduated in 2007.  After graduating with my Bachelor of Arts degree, I obtained my teaching credential and Master of Arts degree in education from Azusa Pacific University.

In my free time, I love to spend time with my husband, family, and friends.  I also enjoy exercising and going on beach trips.

Mr. Miles got his Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Utah Valley University. He has taught fifth grade for five years. He recently moved to the High Desert from Southern Utah. Mr. Miles enjoys football, fishing, spending time with his family, reading, and basketball.

Bio coming soon.

Ms. Plascenica is excited to be a part of Riverside Prep! She graduated from Cal
State San Bernardino with a Bachelor in Liberal Studies and a Bilingual Cross-
cultural, Language and Academic Development (BCLAD) credential. She is
pursuing her masters in Cross-Cultural Bi-literacy from Cal State University San
Bernardino. Her mission is to provide an equal opportunity for all students to
learn!

Ms. Razo has a degree in Graphic Communications from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.  She served a short stint in the printing industry before she was inspired to become an educator.  Upon her decision to join the ranks of teachers, she set forth in acquiring her credentials through the Cal State San Bernardino program and has since been teaching for 3 years.  She is now looking forward to starting this 2010-2011 school year with Riverside Prep as one of its new 5th grade teachers. Her hopes are that her enthusiasm and creative background will provide her students with a quality education they can look forward to everyday in class.

Ms. Romo is a 5th grade teacher at Riverside Prep.  She graduated from Cal State University, San Bernardino, with a B.A. in Liberal Studies.  She also received her Bilingual Cross Cultural Academic Development (BCLAD) Credential, and is currently attending the Master's program for Cross Cultural Bi-Literacy at the same university.  She is excited about her first year at Riverside Prep and looks forward to learning and having fun with her students.

Mrs. Monta Romriell is one of three 6th grade teachers. This is her second year at Riverside Preparatory School. Last year she was the 6th grade math and science teacher and she taught 6th, 7th and 8th grade art. She is very excited to be teaching al of the 6th grade subjects this year in an enclosed classroom. Mrs. Romriell completed her Associates of Arts at the local Victor Valley Community College and she received both her Bachelor of Arts and Teaching Credentials through Azusa Pacific University’s High Desert campus. She is currently 1 thesis paper away from her Masters Degree, also through Azusa Pacific University. Prior to teaching at Riverside Preparatory School Mrs. Romriell worked for 11 years as a CHP dispatcher. She is an avid believer in the power of positive thinking and believes her students will accomplish great things because she will help give them the tools needed to do so.

Mrs. Ibet Ruiz is a fifth grade teacher at Riverside Preparatory.  She was the Spanish, P.E., and art teacher last year for Riverside Prep. in which she enjoyed working with all elementary grade levels.  Mrs. Ruiz received her Bachelors in Human Development from Azusa Pacific University and is currently finishing her credential and masters program from the same university.  She loves being around family and has a strong commitment and dedication to teaching students from the heart.

Mrs. Smith is in her third year at Riverside Preparatory. She has been refining her craft of teaching for 13 years and is very excited to be teaching at the best school in the High Desert. She will be teaching U.S. History and Dance during the 2009-10 school year. Mrs. Smith has double Associate Degrees in Liberal Arts and Math/Science. She received her Bachelors Degree in Social Science from Chapman University with an emphasis in History. Mrs. Smith is currently working on completing her Master’s Degree in Education at Azusa Pacific University and is on track to graduate in December of 2009. She was selected as “Teacher of the Year” in 2003. In addition, in 2005, Mrs. Smith was inducted into the “Who’s Who in America’s Teachers” 9th Edition.

Ms. Marisa Tilden teaches sixth grade at Riverside Preparatory. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Art History at the University of California, Riverside.  Ms. Tilden also earned her Multiple Subject Credential and a Masters Degree in Education from the same university.  She comes to Riverside Prep with experience with first and sixth grade students.  In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her loved ones and practicing cake decorating.

Mrs. Wilson teaches 4th grade here at Riverside Prep. She holds a BA degree in Communication from Southern Oregon University and  Masters of Elementary Education from University of Phoenix. She's been at Riverside Prep for 4 years, teaching music and piano to K-12 prior to moving into 4th grade. She has been married for 18 years and has two beautiful daughters, Emma and Claire, who attend 4th and 2nd grades here at Riverside Prep.