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Degrees and Certifications:
BSS, MFA
Mr. Scott Durka
Mr. Durka was born in Cleveland, OH. He spent his undergrad in Appalachia studying art, eventually discovering that he had a passion for teaching. He has previously taught art in Ohio, South Dakota, and Utah. In his free time, he enjoys hanging out with his family, traveling, and many types of mountain recreation. He is excited to be a part of the RRHS faculty and to explore Colorado.
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Degrees and Certifications:
B.A. in Visual Arts University of Northern Colorado, M.A. of Art and Design University of Northern Colorado, CTE Certification
Mrs. Janelle Heiser
Mrs. Heiser is thrilled to be back at the Ridge teaching Visual Arts! This year she will be teaching Drawing & Painting 1-3 and Photography 1. She received her B.A. in Visual Arts, as well as her M.A. of Art and Design at the University of Northern Colorado. During her time at UNC, she spent two summers in Italy studying art and film photography. She started her teaching career in 2008; building a Visual Arts program at a new school in Cherry Creek School District. In 2013, she moved to Brighton High School where she taught AP Art, Drawing and Painting 1-3, Mixed Media, Photography 1-3, Senior Art, Intro to Art, and served as department coordinator. In 2019 Mrs. Heiser was awarded Teacher of Year at BHS. Mrs. Heiser joined the Raven family in 2020 and took last year off to move her family to their new home in Loveland.
Mrs. Heiser loves being a part of the Raven Nation. She believes that education in the arts develops self-esteem, stimulates imagination and encourages openness towards the opinion of others. Through creative experiences, students learn to think critically, problem solve and come up with innovative solutions. By studying a mixture of artists, various mediums, styles, time periods and cultures; students recognize that differences are to be welcomed, not rejected.
In her down time, Mrs. Heiser can be found at the baseball field with her husband and two boys, taking care of livestock (Highland bull, cows, chickens and pigs) at their homestead, or relaxing on their boat at Carter Lake. She is an artist at heart with a travelers soul; taking every opportunity to soak in new cultures and create.
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Degrees and Certifications:
BA’s in Art Education and Glass Art Master’s in Art Education
Mr. Nathan Shaver
Nathan Shaver has been teaching in 27J since 2008, first opening Prairie View Middle School, then Riverdale Ridge High School. He coached cross country and track at Prairie View High School for 11 years. He teaches mostly 3D arts and Ceramics but has taught Painting and Drawing 1-3, Photo 1, AP Art, and Yearbook. In his free time he makes his own art, walks his dog Sammie Sprinkles, plays with his son, and likes to go concerts with his wife.
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Degrees and Certifications:
BFA in Illustration (Ringling College of Art & Design); MS in Instructional Design (Full Sail University); Adobe Certified Professional in Illustrator, Photoshop, Animate and Premiere Pro
Laurel Taylor
Laurel Taylor came to Riverdale Ridge from Austin, TX in 2021. She is stoked to be entering her 10th year of teaching in 2023-24!
Before deciding to enter education, Laurel was a graphic artist in the legal industry for 14 years. Laurel lives in Brighton with her husband, 2 kids (daughter AJ is a junior at RRHS), 2 cats and a chug (chihuahua + pug). In her spare time she enjoys traveling, going to concerts, baking/cake decorating, and supporting independent artists by collecting fun stickers, pins, and prints. She is also an online adjunct professor of Illustrative Design for Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design in Lakewood.
Laurel teaches Graphic Design I/II/III and Foundations of Design, and is looking forward to being a part of the team in the new CTE/STEM building!
