Manitou Springs Elementary School

08/17/2026

Back to School Night, meet your teachers and stay for classroom presentations. Thursday, August 20th at 3:30 - 5:00pm.

08/13/2026

💚💛 Welcome to the Mustang Family, Jamie! 💛💚

Manitou Springs Elementary is excited to welcome Jamie Ray as our new 5th Grade Teacher!

Jamie begins her ninth year in education and recently relocated to Colorado from Southern California. She earned both her Bachelor's degree in Child Development, with a minor in Natural Sciences, and her Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from California State University, Fullerton. She is passionate about creating engaging, student-centered learning experiences that inspire curiosity and foster a lifelong love of learning. 📚✨

Outside the classroom, Jamie enjoys hiking, backpacking, camping, and exploring the outdoors with her golden retriever. She was drawn to Manitou Springs because of its strong sense of community, appreciation for the outdoors, and commitment to meaningful learning experiences for students. 🏔️🐾

Jamie is excited to build lasting relationships with her students, families, and colleagues, and we are thrilled to have her join the Manitou Springs Elementary family. Please join us in giving Jamie a warm Mustang welcome! 🐎💚💛

08/10/2026

💚💛 Welcome to the Mustang Family, Gwenyth! 💛💚

Manitou Springs Elementary is excited to welcome Gwenyth "Gwen" Lloyd Davies as our new Preschool Paraprofessional!

A proud Manitou Springs High School alumna, Gwen is currently pursuing her Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education at Pikes Peak State College and plans to continue her education at UCCS to earn her bachelor's degree. During her practicum last semester, she joined the Manitou Preschool Program and quickly found a home with our incredible preschool team. 🍎📚

Gwen has dreamed of becoming a teacher since she was in preschool herself and is passionate about creating the same positive, encouraging experiences for children that her own teachers provided for her. Outside of school, she enjoys reading, creating art, exploring new adventures, and spending time with the people she loves. 🎨📖🏔️

We are so excited that Gwen is continuing her journey in the Manitou community and know she will make a wonderful impact on our youngest Mustangs. Please join us in giving her a warm Mustang welcome! 🐎💚💛

08/03/2026

💚💛 Welcome to the Mustang Family, Tim! 💛💚

Manitou Springs Elementary is excited to welcome Tim Aluise as one of our new Special Education Paraprofessionals!

After spending more than 10 years in healthcare, Tim made the decision to pursue a career in education—and he's never looked back. He has several years of experience as a paraprofessional in Academy District 20, earned his teaching degree from UCCS, and most recently spent two years teaching in a special education department in Harrison School District 2. 🍎📚

Tim is excited to join the dynamic team at Manitou Springs Elementary and looks forward to collaborating with teachers and paraprofessionals while supporting students in every way he can. We are thrilled to have him as part of the Mustang family!

Please join us in giving Tim a warm Mustang welcome! 🐎💚💛

07/27/2026

💚💛 Welcome to the Mustang Family, Shelby! 💛💚

Manitou Springs Elementary is excited to welcome Shelby Ore as one of our new Special Education Paraprofessionals!

Shelby brings a background in Human Services, with experience supporting children and families through economic assistance and child welfare. She is passionate about helping students thrive and is excited to make a positive impact by supporting our learners each day. 💚📚

A Colorado native, Shelby enjoys playing volleyball and crafting in her free time. We are thrilled to have her join the Manitou Springs Elementary family and can't wait for our students to benefit from her compassion and dedication.

Please join us in giving Shelby a warm Mustang welcome! 🐎💚💛

07/20/2026

💚💛 Welcome to the Mustang Family, Laura! 💛💚

Manitou Springs Elementary is excited to welcome Laura Binkowski as one of our new Special Education Paraprofessionals!

Laura earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, with a minor in Education, from Shepherd University in West Virginia. She brings a wealth of experience in human services, including residential treatment, social services, family counseling, developmental disabilities case management, and school-based support. Most importantly, she has a passion for helping children discover their unique "aha" moments and believes in the power of building meaningful relationships with every student. 💚📚

After living from the East Coast to the West Coast, Laura has found her home here in Manitou Springs. Outside of school, you'll often find her exploring the community with her son, Justice—hiking Red Mountain, relaxing at Soda Springs Park, or playing games at the arcade. 🏔️🎮

We are thrilled to have Laura join the Manitou Springs Elementary family. Please join us in giving her a warm Mustang welcome! 🐎💚💛

07/15/2026

🏃‍♀️💚 Join us for the 3rd Annual Manitou 5K on Saturday, October 10 at 9:00 AM! Whether you run or walk, it's a great way to enjoy the beauty of Manitou Springs while supporting Manitou Springs School District and our High School Cross Country team. Check out the shared post for all the details and registration information! 🐎💛

🏃‍♀️💚 Join us for the 3rd Annual Manitou 5K! 💛🏃‍♂️

Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 10 at 9:00 AM and celebrate the natural beauty, vibrant art, and incredible community of Manitou Springs! The race begins and ends at Fields Park, following a scenic, flat, and accessible course along Fountain Creek with beautiful views of Pikes Peak. Whether you're a seasoned runner or just looking for a fun family walk, everyone is welcome! 🌄🎨

Your registration includes:
👕 A race T-shirt designed by a Manitou Springs High School art student
⏱️ Chip timing by Pikes Peak Road Runners
☕ Post-race coffee, snacks, and quesadillas
🎁 Giveaways from Stio and prizes from Manitou Brewing Company and Penny Arcade for finalists

Best of all, all proceeds benefit Manitou Springs School District and the Manitou Springs High School Cross Country Team! 🐎💚

Bring your family, friends, neighbors—and don't forget your reusable water bottle!

👉 Register today: https://runsignup.com/Race/CO/ManitouSprings/Manitou5K

07/13/2026

💚💛 Welcome to the Mustang Family, Eugena! 💛💚

Manitou Springs Elementary is excited to welcome Eugena as our new 5th Grade Teacher!

This school year marks Eugena's 23rd year in education and her 10th year teaching 5th grade. After moving from Fort Worth, Texas to Colorado Springs last year, she and her husband quickly fell in love with Colorado. While exploring Manitou Springs last summer, Eugena discovered Manitou Springs Elementary—and says it was love at first sight. ❤️🏫

Eugena is grateful for the opportunity to join our school community and has already been overwhelmed by the kindness and support she has received. We are excited for our students to learn from her experience, enthusiasm, and passion for education.

Please join us in giving Eugena a warm Mustang welcome! 🐎💚💛

07/10/2026

💚💛 Join the Team at Manitou Springs Elementary!

Manitou Springs Elementary is looking for a passionate 5th Grade Teacher to join our team for the 2026–2027 school year! 🍎📚

If you believe in building strong relationships, inspiring curiosity, and helping students grow academically and personally, we'd love to have you as part of our Mustang family. Together, we create a learning environment where every student is known, supported, and encouraged to thrive. 🐎✨

👉 Learn more and apply at mssd14.org

06/25/2026

💚💛 Welcome to the Mustang Family, Kayla! 💛💚

Manitou Springs Elementary is excited to welcome Kayla as our new School Counselor!

Kayla earned her master's degree in Professional Counseling from Carlow University and has been a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Colorado since 2014. Most recently, she completed her graduate certificate in School Counseling from Denver Seminary, bringing both clinical expertise and a passion for supporting students to her new role.

Originally from outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Kayla moved to Colorado in 2011. She is married to an Army veteran, is the proud mom of three children, and shares her home with "a lot of dogs!" When she's not at school, you'll likely find her dreaming about or visiting the beach. 🌊🐾

Kayla is excited to begin this next chapter at Manitou Springs Elementary, and we are thrilled to have her join our school community. Please join us in giving her a warm Mustang welcome! 🐎💚💛