Staff Email Addresses (PDF)
Mr. Hard
Glenn Hard, Principal Manitou Springs High School
Mr. Hard is entering his 16th year at Manitou Springs High School, and his first year as Principal. He has served as an educator for a total of 18 years in Colorado. At Manitou Springs High School he has taught various sciences for a total of 8 years, and served as the Director of Athletics and Activities for 7. Mr. Hard received his B.A. in Biology and M.A. in Education Leadership from Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado. Mr. Hard especially enjoys spending time with his wife Chris and his daughter Shelby. He also enjoys hunting, fishing, hiking Colorado’s 14ers, riding motorcycles, running and lifting weights. He is a 1986 graduate of Manitou Springs High School, is a lifelong resident of Colorado, and plans to never leave.
Mr. Woodard
Jay Woodard, Assistant Principal Manitou Springs High School
Mr. Woodard became Assistant Principal in 1997. He was originally from Danville, Illinois and graduated from William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri. He taught PE and coached in Missouri before returning to Danville to teach English and speech, and to coach football. He later became Dean of Students and then an Assistant Principal at Danville High School. Mr. Woodard moved to Ft. Collins, Colorado and worked in microelectronics at NCR and Symbios Logic in the microelectronics field. He was the Assistant Principal at Rifle High School for three years before coming to Manitou Springs.
Mr. McGee
John McGee, Athletic/Activity Director for District 14
John also serves as the Head Football Coach for the Manitou High School team. He received his Bachelor of Science in Industrial Education at the University of Southern Colorado, Pueblo and then received his MA in Educational Leadership, at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs. John taught many subjects including high school math, drafting and woodworking. He was the Principal at Holy Trinity in Colorado Springs and Dean of Students at Holy Family High School in Broomfield, CO. He has also coached other football teams and girls basketball. John is married with three children.
Mr. Person
Brian C. Person is in his tenth year of teaching as the Director of Bands in the Manitou Springs School District. Mr. Person received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado, where he primarily studied conducting under Dr. Reed Thomas. His current school responsibilities include conducting the High School Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo, and teaching the Beginning Woodwinds and Percussion Class. Mr. Person is also an active trumpet player throughout Colorado. He currently performs with a local rock group called the Martini Shot (www.martinishotband.net) and is an enlisted solider of the 101st Army National Guard Band in Aurora, Colorado. He is the musical director of the Mile High Ten, the rock component of the 101st Army Band. Professional affiliations include the Music Educators National Conference, the Colorado Music Educators Association, the Colorado Bandmasters Association, and the National Music Honor Society of Pi Kappa Lambda. Mr. Person resides in Colorado Springs where he enjoys riding motorcycles and flying helicopters. He is currently pursuing a private rotorcraft pilot’s license.
Ms. Swinney
Virginia Swinney is currently the District Librarian for Manitou Springs School District. She teaches information literacy classes tied to subject specific classes at the high school level. She also teaches research skills, evaluation of information, print and database information and ethical issues surrounding information literacy. She has also taught at The American School of the Hague in The Netherlands, European University and The University of Phoenix in Europe. She has over ten years of educational experience at the K1-12 level and six years at the University level. Her degrees include a Masters in Library Science from Texas Woman’s University and a Masters in Public Administration from Golden Gate University in San Francisco, Ca. Virginia spent twelve years as as Intelligence Officer in the Air Force and has lived in Europe for over eighteen Years. She is a member of BETA PHI MU which is an international library and information studies honor society. She has presented at The ECIS conference of international schools and also is a member of the American Library Association. She is currently sponsor of the high school radio station, drama club, poetry slam team and book club. Her hobbies include reading, film and keeping up with all the arts. She is married to a Dutchman from Holland and speaks Dutch!!!
Mrs. Brewster
Debra Brewster is an art teacher at Manitou Springs High School. She has taught in the Manitou School District for the last eighteen years at the elementary and secondary levels. Currently at Manitou Springs High School, she teaches Beginning Art, Drawing, Painting, and Photography classes, as well as Independent Studies for advanced students. Debra received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Arts at Southern Methodist University Meadows School of the Arts and her teaching credentials at Regis University. She has been a professional artist for thirty years showing her work in various states and is currently a member of the Bridge Gallery in Colorado Springs. Also, Debra is an active member of the Colorado Arts Education Association and teaches Staff Development classes and art classes for the community. Whether working with students in classes, students in clubs or even helping drama students design sets for plays, Debra loves teaching art in Manitou Springs School District. It is incredibly rewarding for her to help students discover their own abilities as artists. She enjoys watching her students grow in developing their artwork and taking pride in their accomplishments. Debra feels that students taking art learn to see the world in new ways and explore their own creativity, which are skills that prepare them for their future. As far back as Debra can remember, she has been drawing and making art, in fact, she can’t remember a time when she wasn’t making art of some kind. She first fell in love with teaching art when she was awarded a teaching assistantship in Drawing as a senior at Southern Methodist University Meadows School of the Arts. Debra feels she was fortunate to grow up in a family that valued the arts. Making and creating was a major part of her life as her parents were creative people, an architect and a kitchen designer and both artists as well. She grew up being taken to art museums, plays, and musical events, so she can’t imagine life without the enrichment that the arts bring to life. It is not surprising that Debra chose art and teaching art as a career.
Ms. Blyth
Lesley Blyth is the Computer Technician for the High School and SILC buildings here in District 14. She grew up in the Midwest on the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She enjoyed many years at the University of Wisconsin, Madison with a Fine Arts curriculum but decided to pursue a Graphic Arts career instead. She obtained her Associate of Arts Degree at the Madison Area Technical College and then moved to the mountains and settled in as a Graphic Designer in Colorado Springs. She started as a computer tech four years ago at the school and enjoys her interaction with both students and staff. Lesley lives in Manitou with her husband, Dave and their adorable furry kids~Molly, Chester and BusterBrown. She enjoys hiking, sewing, gardening and eating all the great food her husband prepares!
Mrs. Barton
Toni Olivieri-Barton is the Technology Teacher, who teaches mostly Freshman Computers 1. Mrs. Barton teaches office productivity software, such as Microsoft Office and Google Docs; Web 2.0 tools, such as Animoto and Voki; 3D drawing with Google Sketcup; 3D Animation with Scratch; and digital responsibility. She graduated from Saint Mary’s College in Indiana with a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy. Mrs. Barton has been training adults on the computer for over 15 years. Mrs. Barton is married to Matt Barton, an English teacher at the High School and has a freshman daughter and 5th grade son. Mrs. Barton enjoys traveling, camping, hiking, yoga, quilting and reading books.
Mr. Barton
Matt Barton currently teaches Language Arts at the high school. Matt was born in Chicago and attended The University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois, graduating in 1991. He received a B.A. in English Literature with a minor in Philosophy. Before becoming a teacher, Matt also was a bond trader at the Chicago Board of Trade and worked for Eastman Kodak. Matt also coaches the Varsity Girls Soccer Team at the High School. In addition Matt enjoys fly fishing, hiking, camping, sitting in any hot spring, and cooking, with an emphasis on spicy cuisine. Matt resides in Manitou Springs with his wife Toni, and two children, Margaret and Frank.
Mr. Mack
Ben Mack is in his 7th year teaching Biology at Manitou Springs High School. He also serves as the current varsity boys soccer coach, and assists the girls soccer team as well. Originally from Anchorage Alaska, Ben developed an appreciation for the outdoors and natural processes at a young age. After High School, Ben received a scholarship to play soccer at CSU-P where he earned his undergraduate degree cum laude in Biology (emphasis molecular genetics) with a double minor in Chemistry and Anthropology. As a senior at CSU-P he was involved in published research that examined the role of aminopeptidase genes in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and their implications on cell regulation for the eukaryotic genome. After earning his undergraduate degree, Ben went on to UCCS in Colorado Springs, where he earned a Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction through the ALP program. Ben currently teaches Biology I, Biology I Honors and Biology II (AP Curriculum) at the High School, where students learn a variety of biotechnological techniques such as PCR, light spectroscopy, DNA extraction/purification and gel electrophoresis. Ben is a member of Alpha Chi National Honors Society, the NSTA (National Science Teachers Association) and the Pikes Peak Skeptics Society. Ben currently resides in Manitou Springs with his lovely wife, two beautiful daughters and his squirrel/corgi hybrid. Ben enjoys travel, soccer, hiking, kayaking, reading (especially geeky science stuff!!), and “trying anything at least once.”
Ms. O’Connor
Bridget O’Connor is currently in her fifteenth year at Manitou Springs High School. She teaches psychology, sociology, American History Honors, and leadership seminar. Bridget is also the gifted and talented coordinator at the high school. Proud to be a Colorado native, Bridget was born in Denver and grew up in Monument. After graduating from Lewis Palmer High School, Bridget earned a BA in Social Science and Physical Education at the Secondary level from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ. She played volleyball and basketball at Grand Canyon, and taught and coached for three years at Bradshaw Mountain High School in Prescott Valley, AZ. After returning to Colorado Ms. O’Connor earned a Master’s degree in School Counseling from University of Northern Colorado. In her spare time Bridget enjoys spending time in the mountains either hiking 14ers or snowshoeing. She loves to spend her summers traveling the world and exploring other cultures. Coach O’Connor has been the Varsity Volleyball coach at Manitou for fifteen years, and she also is an assistant girls’ basketball coach. Bridget is passionate about helping students create change locally and globally in sponsoring Peace Jam: Global Action Club. Outside of the school day Coach O sponsors the Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ Huddle as well.
Mrs. Johnson
Kolleen Johnson is a special education teacher at Manitou Springs High School. She is in her second year at the high school, but comes to Manitou with a decade of teaching experience. Kolleen received her Bachelor’s of Arts degree from Ripon College in Ripon Wisconsin. She also has a Master’s Degree in Special Education and a second Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction both from the University of Colorado. Kolleen sits on the student support team and the district IEP review team. Kolleen also teaches Fundamentals of Math and Pre-Algebra. Kolleen grew up outside of Chicago, but now lives in Manitou Springs with her husband and twin daughters. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and following politics.
Mrs. Penman
Janice Penman is the counseling secretary and also the activities/athletics secretary and has worked in the front office of the high school for almost 13 years. Janice is a Manitou graduate, is married to a Manitou graduate and has two daughters who graduated from Manitou. When Janice’s grandson starts kindergarten in 2012, he will be a 4th generation District 14 student. After her high school graduation, Janice attended Colorado State University, worked in radio advertising, then spent many years as a stay at home mom before becoming employed in the school district. During those years all of her free time was spent volunteering for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. Recently, her hobbies include hiking, reading and planning trips that are sometimes executed. .
Mrs. Swanson
Rebecca Swanson teaches Algebra II and Calculus I at Manitou Springs High School and sponsors MSHS’s chapter of the National Honor Society. Mrs. Swanson was born in Tennessee, but moved to Arizona while she was still very young. Her family moved to Colorado Springs a few years later and then to Manitou Springs shortly afterward. After graduating from Manitou Springs High School in 2001, Rebecca attended the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. She graduated in 2006 with a B.S. in Mathematics. Mrs. Swanson loves spending time with her husband Derek, their son Owen, and their dog Cooper. She also enjoys hiking, crocheting, reading, and scrap-booking.
Mrs. Astley
Stevie Kay Astley has been the director of choral activities for Manitou Springs Middle and High School since 1990. She teaches 6th grade, 7/8 grade choir and high school mixed choir. She has also taught beginning guitar for 3 years. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Mrs. Astley directs the spring musical each year. She was born in Richmond, Va. and was awarded a degree in music education from East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C. and earned a master’s degree in Supervision and Instruction from the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs. Mrs. Astley serves as the Southern Governor for All State Choir as well as adjudicates at statewide festivals. She also performs locally with the group “In Harmony” when she’s not on the golf course. She and her husband, Don, are the proud grandparents of 9 grandchildren, the last two being twin girls.
Mrs. Gardner
Julie Gardner teaches Geometry and Precalculus in the high school. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington in 1990. Then she was awarded a teaching fellowship at the University of Northern Colorado where she earned a Master’s Arts in Math Education and a teaching certificate in 1992. Julie began her teaching career at Manitou Springs High School in the Fall of 1992, where she sponsored many activites and and coached several sports. Currently, Mrs. Gardner is serving as the Math Department Chair. She loves spending time with her family and friends, and enjoys hiking, swimming and playing the flute.
Mr. Vecchio
Brian Vecchio is in his fourth year at Manitou Springs High School teaching both Physical Education and Health. He is the assistant boys basketball and golf coach as well as an active member of the wellness committee. Brian was born in Laramie, Wyoming but grew up in Colorado Springs.
Brian attended Manitou Springs High School K-12 participating in basketball and golf. He was a member of the National Honor Society and Link Crew. He attended CSU-Pueblo on a basketball scholarship 2001-2005 earning a BS in Exercise Science with a minor in Education graduating Magna Cum Laude. He then student taught at Pueblo Central High School and Fountain Elementary.
Brian’s father Ken works in the school district as well. Brian is an avid golfer and enjoys fishing, working out, any pasta, and Las Vegas.
Mrs. Holmes
Debra Holmes started 3 years ago at Manitou Springs High School as a special education paraprofessional. She assists the students in maximizing their academic achievements. Debra was raised in a military family and spent most of her younger years in the Northwest. She received her Associates of Arts Degree from Spokane Washington Community College in Spokane, Washington. Her husband (Joe) took a job in the energy business after graduation from Eastern Washington University, which took them to Houston. They had both of their children in Houston. After spending 10 years in Houston they moved back to Idaho (where they still call home). Debra volunteered in the public school system, big brothers big sisters, was an election judge, helped a friend run a yearly baseball tournament (in her son’s memory), and participated in other volunteering activities.
Debra was always a stay at home mom until she became an empty-nester when both of her children went off to college. She began working full time in the Boise Public Schools. Her husband took a job at Colorado Springs Utilities and so they ended up in Colorado. Her daughter Megann recently completed her B.S. at Colorado University and took her first professional job in Washington, DC. Her son, Joseph, is studying in Graduate School to become a medical physicist in California.
In her spare time she enjoys spending time with family and friends, snowshoeing, cooking, hiking, and reading.
Mrs. Surage
Angelita Surage teaches Spanish I at Manitou Springs High School. She was born in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and raised in southern New Jersey. She graduated from Rutgers University with Distinction in History/Political Science and a minor in Spanish with teacher certification. Living with the Maya of the Yucatan Peninsula inspired her to become a teacher and further explore culture and language. Angelita moved to Colorado in 1983 and her first teaching job was at Manitou Springs Middle School. She has taught in District 14 for twelve years. She also sponsors WORRRMS, the high school ecology club which focuses on environmental stewardship. Angelita has just finished her Masters of Arts in Teaching in the Arts and Humanities at Colorado College where she explored the influence of the Moors in American Southwestern agriculture, architecture, and art. She enjoys spending time with my husband, Michael Houston, and her two beautiful and talented daughters, Chloe and Sophia. Her hobbies are reading, cooking, gardening, hiking, rock climbing, dance, travel, and art. She spends part of every summer learning to sail the family boat in the Puget Sound.
Mrs. Tindall
Liz Tindall is the new Special Education teacher at Manitou Springs High School. Although this is her first year at Manitou, it is her 7th year teaching. She is also the new Prom Committee sponsor for the Junior class. She is a native of sunny southern California and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education from the fabulous Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. Though sad to leave the Evergreen state and her Gonzaga basketball team, the great Rocky Mountains and Colorado sunshine lead Liz to pursue her teaching career here. She also managed to squeeze in some time to earn her Master’s Degree from UCCS in Curriculum and Instruction.
Liz lives with her husband, dog, and cats in Colorado Springs. She loves yoga, hiking with her dog, cheering for Gonzaga basketball, and watching The Office with her husband.
Mr. Brown
Mr. Brown has been teaching at Manitou Springs High School for the past seven years and now instructs students in World History, World History Honors, World Geography and Geography Honors. He has continued his education through AP trainings and obtaining certifications in Driver’s Education and P.E. Brian has been involved in education for since 1985, teaching in Illinois, Arizona and Wisconsin prior to arriving in Manitou. Besides instructing students in the classroom, Mr. Brown presently serves as an assistant to Ms. O’Connor in volleyball and is the head basketball coach. Previous coaching duties have seen him prepping players in baseball and football and Brian still holds the record for most coaching victories in volleyball for RLHS in Illinois. Since 1999 Mr. Brown has sponsored foreign travel adventures for students throughout Europe and Central America. An avid traveler, Brian has visited over 20 foreign countries himself and has a dream of spending an extended time in Europe in the future. Mr. Brown’s wife, Kay, is a teacher in the Falcon School District and they have three children: Zach, Dylan and Courtney.
Mr. Vecchio
* Started teaching in the Social Studies department and coaching at Manitou Springs in 1986
* Taught and coached for 7 years in Wyoming before coming to Manitou
* Attended the University of Wyoming on a basketball scholarship, graduated in 1978
* Currently serves as the Varsity Boys Basketball Coach and the Boys and Girls Varsity Golf Coach
* Married to Brenda
* Son Brian also teaches and coaches at Manitou Springs
* Recently awarded the Tom Sutak Award by the Colorado High School Coaches Association for contributions to high school basketball in
Colorado
* Hobbies include working out and playing as much golf as possible
Mrs. Teigen
Sonya Teigen is the Severe Needs Special Education teacher and Manitou Springs School District Transition Coordinator. Sonya is originally from Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Upon earning her Bachelor’s Degree from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois, Sonya moved to the mountains of Colorado. While she has only been at Manitou Springs High School for 3 years, Sonya has been teaching Special Education for 9 years. She earned her Master’s Degree in Special Education with a focus on the severe needs and moderate needs population of special education students from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. In her spare time she thoroughly enjoys spending time with her husband, Tony, her daughter, Kaya, and her son, Kelvin. Sonya and her family are outdoor enthusiasts and can usually be found in the mountains whitewater rafting, powder skiing, and dirt bike riding.
Mrs. Skokan
Wendy Skokan is the Principal’s Secretary, Greeter and Public Relations Information Specialist for Manitou Springs High School. She lives in Chipita Park and is married to Manitou Springs High School alumni, Dan Skokan. Dan and Wendy have three wonderful children: Justin, Jessica and Crissy, although when asked by outsiders how many children she has she often jokes that she has 478 or the number of students currently enrolled in the high school. She started in the District as a Manitou Springs Elementary School employee for six years and has been with the high school for ten years. Wendy’s “extra” duties include Volleyball and Basketball scorekeeper, Hospitality Hostess, and Manager/Spiritual Advisor/Team Mom for the Wrestling team for eight years. Her hobbies include scrapbooking, shopping, traveling to South Carolina to see their daughter Crissy, and spending quality time with her husband at their cabin.
Ms. Wecks
Nissa Wecks is an English and journalism teacher at Manitou Springs High School. Still a rookie (as her colleagues like to remind her weekly), she is in her second year of teaching. Prior to becoming a teacher, Wecks spent ten years in media relations and broadcasting. She worked for several news stations in Colorado Springs and Honolulu, produced “Hawaiian Sports Adventure” – an independent production for ESPN, and most recently worked as Media Relations Director for the local non-profit The Sports Corporation. Wecks is the C-Team coach for the girls volleyball program and graduated from MSHS in 1992. She has two amazing daughters and two crazy dogs. Wecks enjoys camping, reading, listening to music, running, yoga, games., and she would enjoy traveling a great deal if she could afford it.
Mrs. Geraci
Andrea Geraci is in her fifth year teaching Algebra and Geometry at Manitou Springs High School. She attended Quincy College and received her BS degree from DePaul University and her Masters in Education from Governors State University. She began her teaching career at Mother McAuley High School in Chicago. Mrs. Geraci and her husband built their “dream mountain” home in Manitou Springs and moved
to Colorado in 2005. Andrea enjoys the beauty and mountains of Colorado with her husband Jim and their two dogs, Heimdall and Thor. In her spare time Andrea enjoys watching old movies, hiking with her husband and exploring Colorado.
Mrs. Geraci still has strong family ties in Chicago and returns often to visit her family, especially her three children and four beautiful grandchildren
Mr. Maday
Matt Maday is a paraprofessional working for the special education department at Manitou Springs High School. He enjoys Manitou’s close-knit learning community. Matt was born in Colorado Springs, attended Manitou Springs High School, and later received a BA in Psychology from Fort Lewis College. His interests include popular culture, poetry, theater, and psychopharmacology.
Mr. Ragsdale
Brad Ragsdale is the Day Custodian at Manitou Springs High School. He has worked in the District for 17 years. Brad looks forward to the daily challenges he faces in the school and his interactions with staff and students. In his spare time, Brad enjoys spending time with his family, eating and riding his Harley motorcycle all over Colorado.
Mrs. Perkins
Meleah Perkins is the Librarian Assistant for the High School. She was born in Minnesota and moved around a bit to finally establish Colorado as her home. She lives in Manitou Springs with her incredible husband of 21 years and her three wonderful sons. Michael her oldest is a 2008 graduate of Manitou, Kyle is a sophomore and then there is Benjamin who is soon to be three, also known as oops. She has been with the school district for 7 years. She started as a secretary at the middle school and then moved up to the high school. She enjoys hiking, horseback riding, scrapbooking, gardening, cooking and most of all traveling/spending time with her husband and kids!
Mr. Woodrich
Mr. Woodrich began teaching history classes at Manitou Springs High School in 2000. He now instructs Success Skills and is an assistant baseball coach. A native of New Mexico with roots in the beaches of Southern California, he graduated from Humboldt State University, California, with degrees in Social Studies and History. He completed his Teacher-in-Residence through UCCS – BOCES in Colorado in 2002.
His wife Creta is a 1974 graduate of Manitou Springs High School, as are his two daughters, Lacey (2001) and Leah (2004).
Dave is an active volunteer firefighter and has been deployed to Georgia, Oregon, California and Nebraska on national wildfire incidents. He loves skiing, boarding, misses surfing and likes to travel to Mexico or anywhere with his wife.
Mr. Hull
Jesse Hull teaches History at the Manitou High School. He also coaches Wrestling and Cross Country. A New Jersey native, Jesse received his Bachelor of Arts in History at East Stroudsburg University and then earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education Social Studies at Georgia State University and soon after, he earned a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership at Walden University. Jesse is married with children and his hobbies include talking on the phone, going to the mall and carving pumpkins.
Ms. McQueeney
Katlyn McQueeney is the new part-time Language Arts teacher. A former alumn, she was very excited to return to MSHS and to teach freshmen English. Katlyn graduate Magna Cum Laud from CSU in Fort Collins. She is a camp addict and has had the great privilege to work with teens in a variety of settings: teaching English at a camp in Poland; mentoring First Nation teens in British Columbia; and laboring alongside and discipling teens at Eagle Lake Camp here in Colorado. She loves teaching, reading, snowboarding, hiking, slacklining, camping, and climbing, and hopes to someday teach English as a foreign language in Eastern Europe.
Mrs. Tidwell
Elke Tidwell is a Para Professional in the Special Education Department. She was born and raised in Augsburg, Germany but became an American citizen in 1997. She finished her Bachelors of Science in Business in May of 2007 and now she is working on her Masters program for Special Education. Before Elke joined MSHS, she was employed for over 5 years with District 2 as a Severe and Profound Paraprofessional. She enjoys working with students that have severe disabilities. She also works part time with Special Kids Special Family (Zach’s Place) which is a respite care facility. Elke is married and a mother of two children Steven and Stephanie. Elke’s sister lives in Colorado Springs but most of her family resides in Germany. She keeps in contact with all of them through phone calls and email. She also keeps up to date with German TV and newspapers. Elke takes care of 6 pets that were abused, neglected and have severe disabilities.
Mrs. Fisher
Karen Fisher has been a Papa Professional for MSHS for twelve years. She has worked in the Art Department, Media Center and for the past several years in Special Education. She provides transition services for eligible students ages 14-21. Karen facilitates work experiences, job shadows and tours for potential career opportunities. Karen was born and raised in Missouri. She graduated from the University of Central Missouri-Warrensburg, MO with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology, minor in psychology in 1969. She attended Denver University’s MSW Degree Program in 1982 until the birth of her son in 1983. Karen was first employed by the Department of Public Welfare, Lexington Missouri as a caseworker in 1969. In 1970, she became employed by the department of Human Services as a caseworker. She retired from DHS in 1997 as a child welfare supervisor for 23 years. Past hobbies included raising, training and showing horses. Karen’s son graduated from Manitou Springs and CU Boulder. Karen enjoys spending time with her son, family and friends.
Ms. MacIvor
Ms. MacIvor teaches Algebra I Extended, Algebra I, and Algebra II at Manitou Springs High School, and co-sponsors the MSHS Robotics Club. Ms. MacIvor moved to Colorado Springs from Albuquerque, NM over 6 years ago. She graduated from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS) with a B.A. in Mathematics in 2007. After graduation, she was awarded a teaching fellowship at UCCS, where she earned an M.S. in Applied Mathematics in 2009. She taught at UCCS and Pikes Peak Community College for over 2 years. Currently, she is working towards an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction at UCCS. She has two dogs, a Rhodesian ridgeback mix and a Weimaraner. She enjoys reading Harry Potter, hiking with her dogs, yoga and dancing.
Mr. Elder
Jack Elder is in his third year as a Para Professional in the Special Education Department at MSHS. He has a degree in English from the University of Maryland. Jack moved to Manitou Springs in 1980 after several years in the educational publishing industry and a few years demonstrating that” not all who wander are lost.” Jack wrote and otherwise worked for Manitou’s newspapers, The Pikes Peak Journal and The Pikes Peak Bulletin, for many years . He covered many subjects including Sports at the Manitou Springs High School. During that time he also put in time as a substitute teacher throughout District 14. Jack enjoys Photography, computer graphics reading and is a sports fan. He moonlights in the graphic arts, freelance writing, editing and photography.
Mrs. Brown
Linda Brown is a Para Professional in the Special Education Department. She was born in Pennsylvania and moved to California in Jr. High School. While in California she earned a degree in Fine Arts and returned to school for her Early Childhood Certification. She taught Preschool in California and Colorado. She was Director at Mt. Lake Children’s Center in Green mountain falls, CO for 15 years. In 1997, she started working at Ute Pass Elementary with severe needs students. After 7 years she worked with Kindergarten students at Manitou Elementary and came to the High School in 2007. She Lives in Green Mountain falls with her husband and two daughters who attend in the district. She enjoys spending time with her family and working with kids.
Mr. Kemp
Joshua Kemp is in his first year teaching at Manitou Springs High School. He teaches Physical Science, Physical Science Honors, Biology 1 and co-sponsors the High School Robotics Club. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from UCCS with a B.A. in Visual and Performing Arts and is currently working on his M.A in Secondary Science Curriculum and Instruction through UCCS’s Alternative Licensure Program. Joshua is married to his high school sweetheart, and together they have one daughter with one more on the way – due to arrive April 2010. Joshua is interested in everything, but particularly enjoys epic movies, progressive rock, sublime paintings, and the unspeakable wonder of the universe.
Mrs. Hegg
Karen Hegg teaches Social Studies and Physical Education in the High School. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado. Karen was the Assistant Volleyball Coach from 1985-1995 at the school. She is married to Rick and has two children who both graduated from Manitou: Josh in 2003 and Cody in 2007.
Mrs. Guido
Mrs Guido has been with the district for 20 years. She is currently the attendance secretary.
She has been married for 37 years and has 2 children, both Manitou graduates.
Mrs. Stoneback
Alice Stoneback currently teaches French and English at Manitou Springs High School and is pursuing a Master’s Degree at Colorado College. Alice is a graduate of Alma College in Alma, Michigan. She has a B.A. with a major in French and a minor in English. Alice has been coaching the Mustang Cheerleaders for five years. She started by helping out with some halftime dances in her first year teaching at Manitou, and then became the head coach in 2006. Alice does some of the choreography for the cheerleaders’ halftime and competition routines. Surprisingly, she has never been a cheerleader. In high school she was on the pom team and named MVP her senior year. Through both high school and college she ran cross country and track. Alice is also a Student Council Advisor and track coach at Manitou. When she’s not spending all of her time at school, she hangs out with her husband Matt (Eddy Sound) and their Golden Retriever Anouk.
Mr. Pavey
In his third year at MSHS, Jacob Pavey teaches Woodshop and serves as an assistant football coach. Mr. Pavey previously taught K-12 Art, middle school P.E. and Yearbook, as well as coaching football and baseball in spacious McClave , Colorado . He reluctantly graduated from University of Northern Colorado in only five years with a BA in Art Education and a minor in History. At UNC he played Rugby as long as his eligibility and student loans would possibly allow. Born and raised in the scenic wide-open spaces of Lamar , Colorado , Mr.Pavey believes, “Well, at least it wasn’t LaJunta.” In his spare time Jake enjoys appeasing the computer technician by writing a third-person bio and taking a cheesy mug shot.
Mrs. Holladay
Louise Holladay began teaching English at MSHS in 1990. She graduated from the University of Texas with a BFA in theatre education and English; she later obtained her masters in curriculum and instruction from Chapman University. Although she has taught at various levels in different states, Holladay maintains that her current position is the best of all worlds: she teaches English to diverse students in grades 9, 11 and 12 in an extraordinarily effective educational environment. During her tenure at MSHS she has coached Match Wits, forensics, cheerleading and a literary magazine.
Louise and her witty husband Jack were lucky enough to live in several exciting places where Jack worked for Junior Achievement. Today their two adult daughters continue to inspire both of them. Holladay enjoys reading, gardening, smiling and teaching.
Ms. Garlow
Currently in her third year teaching, Holly Garlow teaches Art at Manitou Springs High School. She teaches Beginning Art, Printmaking, Sculpture, Ceramics, and also enjoys working with her Independent Study art students. Holly is currently a Student Council Advisor as well. In 2005, she graduated from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia with a BS in Studio Art. After a short time in New York City working in the Music Industry, she moved to Colorado Springs and received a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Colorado College.
Besides art, Holly’s other love is music. She was a Music Industry minor in college and spent most of her free time working for JMU’s student-run radio station, WXJM. Besides being a Deejay, she was Co-Coordinator for the Mid-Atlantic College Radio Conference, one of the nation’s largest non-profit independent music and arts festivals. Holly helps with the MSHS student radio station, Mustang 103.3, and is working with students to coordinate their annual Concert on the Rocks Fundraiser.
Holly grew up all over the country as part of an Air Force family. She feels fortunate to have lived in many places and met many special people, but is happy to be settled in Colorado Springs. When she’s not teaching or creating her own art, you’ll likely find Holly out and about supporting local artists and musicians.
