The Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — A 25-year-old Steamboat Springs teacher was killed Saturday in an avalanche in Wyoming.

Paul Maniaci, a teacher with the Steamboat Springs School District, was backcountry skiing near Jackson Hole, Wyo., with his wife, Steamboat Springs Nordic ski coach Jessica Maniaci, and his brother when he was caught in an avalanche.

Maniaci had the appropriate avalanche safety equipment and gear with him at the time of his death.

Maniaci worked halftime with expelled students from Steamboat and halftime with students at the Yampa Valley High School, the alternative school overseen by the Northwest Colorado Board of Cooperative Educational Services.

BOCES Executive Director Jane Toothaker said Maniaci’s death would be felt across the county because of his work with Hayden and South Routt students, in addition to Steamboat Springs students, at the Yampa Valley High School.

“They are very involved in the community,” Toothaker said of Paul and Jessica Maniaci, who were married last summer. “I think there will be a lot more people touched than people realize.”

Toothaker said memorial services likely would take place later this week in Steamboat.

Grief counseling will be available at area schools this week to support students, staff and friends of Maniaci.