Pete Ries has always known he wanted to pursue education.

“I always wanted to be a teacher,” Ries said. “Both my parents were teachers, so I always wanted to be a teacher because they were always there for all of my extracurricular activities, and I wanted that same type of schedule for my kids.” 

Mr. Ries is our Dean of Students at Bowling Green High School. Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, he moved to Bowling Green to attend Western Kentucky University. At Western, he majored in Physical Education and minored in English.

“I just wanted to get out and start teaching, that way I could have my summers off and start having some fun with a paycheck,” he said.

After graduating from WKU, Ries went searching for jobs. He formerly held positions like Director of Alternative Services at Russellville High School, where his son played quarterback, almost taking them to the state championship in his senior year. Ries was also a PE teacher and football coach at Butler County High School before coming to BGHS.

Ries said each day at BGHS is wonderful, but his favorite part of the day is getting to see the students, no matter what their mood is that day.

“They keep me on my toes and that helps keep me young.” 

Outside of school, Mr. Ries likes to stay busy.

“I have multiple hobbies and interests outside of school,” he says.

Ries loves the water in the summertime, going to the pool, ocean, or lake. In the winter, he likes to ski and do anything outdoors.

Mr. Ries has been at BGHS for two years now.

“Bowling Green’s been wonderful,” he said. “Everybody I work with is wonderful, the students are wonderful, I live less than a mile from campus so the drive has been wonderful. Everything’s been great.”