Meet Riverside’s Leadership

Head of School, Ben Ketchum

Ben Ketchum joined RPDS as the Head of School in July 2017. Demonstrating a lifelong passion for teaching and a commitment to faith-based education, Ben has spent time serving schools in many different areas, from homeroom teacher to prinicipal, to his previous position as the Director of the Upper Division and Outplacement at National Presbyterian School (NPS) in Washington, D.C. Ben is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame where he earned his B.A. in Economics, as well as his M.A. in Educational Administration. He also holds an M.A. in Teaching from the University of Portland. Ben and his wife Jennifer reside in Avondale with their two Bernese Mountain Dogs, Winston and Kiki.

Assistant Head of School, Laura Bayer

Laura Bayer joined RPDS as the Assistant Head of School in 2022 bringing her 27 years of educational experience and six years of experience as a school head at St. Nicholas School in Brazil. Laura has served schools in several capacities. She began her career as a PreK 3 - PreK 4 teacher and later served as the Department Head. In 2004, Laura’s role was expanded, and she led the school’s Infant/Primary School (Ages 2 - 1st Grade) before taking on her most recent role as the Head of School. Laura received her M.S. in Educational Administration from the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Kansas University and her B.A. in History from William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri. Laura also received her K-8 Elementary Education certification through Ottawa University. Laura is a mother of four and has enjoyed exploring the Riverside neighborhood in her first year.