Riverside High Engineering Program
Riverside’s program is part of the national initiative Project Lead the Way. This program was created to address the country’s need for more leaders in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). It began in upstate New York, and is now the nation’s leading activities-, project-, and problem-based program for middle and high school students.
The Riverside program became accredited by PLTW in 2008. Through the Pathway to Engineering, Riverside students may be eligible for college credit for all 7 courses, based on earning a B and making above a cut score on the national final exam.
RHS Engineering Faculty
Engineering Program Director
Mr. Tim Velegol
tim_velegol@dpsnc.net 919-560-3965 ext. 65459
Mr. Velegol earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Ohio State in 1983, a Masters in Nuclear Engineering while working for General Electric, and a Masters in International Business from the University of South Carolina in 1991. He is a certified Nuclear Plant Operations engineer, and has worked for Barnes and Noble and as a NASA subcontractor before entering teaching in 2006. He is certified to teach the following PLTW classes: Digital Electronics, Principles of Engineering, and Computer Science Principles. He is the director for Riverside Engineering and previously served as the faculty sponsor for Riverside’s robotics team. Mr. Velegol earned the 2021-2022 PLTW Outstanding Administrator Award and was recognized as the Triangle Education Superhero in June of 2023.
Staff
Ms. Sheena Brooks
sheena_brooks@dpsnc.net 919-560-3965 ext. 65330
Ms. Brooks earned her BS in Business and Marketing Education from East Carolina University. She worked as a Business Technology teacher for twelve years before assuming the position as Career Development Coordinator with Riverside's Career & Technical Education Department in 2008. Ms. Brooks is passionate about empowering students to be successful citizens, workers and leaders.
Ms. Jackie Brown
jacqueline_brown@dpsnc.net 919-560-3965 ext. 65168
Ms. Brown earned her BSE in Mechanical Engineering from Duke University's Pratt School of Engineering and an MBA in Finance from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business. Ms. Brown is a 2020- 21 Kenan Fellow of the Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership and a 2021- 22 District Finalists for CTE Teacher of the Year for Durham Public School. Ms. Brown has previously organized and led FIRST LEGO League Teams and is excited about working with Riverside's Technology Student Association (TSA). She teaches Introduction to Engineering Design.
Mr. Mike Dibble
mike_dibble@dpsnc.net 919-560-3965 ext. 65172
Mike Dibble received a BS in Computer Science from Shawnee State University. He started his teaching career at Riverside as a long-term sub in March 2023. He teaches Computer Science Applications, Computer Science Principles, and Computer Science Essentials. He looks forward to working with all students interested in learning computer science and hopes to pilot PLTW's Game Design course in the future!
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Mr. William Oakley
william_oakley@dpsnc.net 919-560-3965 ext. 65643
Mr. Oakley received a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of Texas at Austin. He also earned his certification in Math, Science and Engineering at UT, and eventually brought those credentials here to North Carolina after teaching three years in Texas. He loves video games, D&D and his dog, Zeus. He teaches Introduction to Engineering Design, Principles of Engineering and Engineering Essentials.
Mr. Ryan Patridge
ryan_patridge@dpsnc.net 919-560-3965 ext. 65162
Mr. Patridge graduated from Cornell University's College of Engineering with a BS in Computer Science. He worked for Motorola and Computer Sciences Corporation for 15+ years as an IT Systems Engineer and System Administrator. He served as a staff engineer and manager of "The Pod" first year design makerspace at Duke University, and currently as an officer at SplatSpace (a non-profit makerspace in Durham). He participated in the Formula SAE student design competition at Cornell, mentored FIRST Team 111 at Motorola, and is an Eagle Scout. He teaches three PLTW courses: Computer Integrated Manufacturing, Computer Science Essentials, and Cybersecurity.
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Mr. Seth Stallings
seth_stallings@dpsnc.net 919-560-3965 ext. 65169
Mr. Stallings holds a Bachelor of Applied Science from Campbell University and a Masters in Technical Education from North Carolina State University. As a Professional Land Surveyor in North Carolina, he owned a surveying and subdivision design company prior to joining Riverside's faculty in 2012. Mr. Stallings has also worked within the fields of forestry and natural resource conservation. He teaches three PLTW courses: Digital Electronics, Civil Engineering and Architecture, and Computer Integrated Manufacturing. He has also taught Technology Engineering and Design, Career Management, and Honors Pre-Calculus!
Mr. Adam Tokonitz
adam_tokonitz@dpsnc.net 919-560-3965 ext. 65173
Mr. Tokonitz is a graduate of North Carolina State University with a BS in Technology, Engineering, and Design Education. He loves working on his cars and is also an alumni of Richlands’ PLTW Engineering program. He has experience with FIRST and Vex Robotics, TSA, and SkillsUSA. He teaches Introduction to Engineering Design and Digital Electronics.