The Manitou Springs High School Mathematics Department’s motto is “Math Is Life.” We have five experienced teachers who have a combined 92 years experience teaching mathematics subjects. We have a combined 64 years teaching at MSHS. The Math Department offers 13 different math courses including three AP courses and two concurrent enrollment courses. The Math Department also houses the computer science courses for the high school which offers three different courses including two AP computer science courses. The math core courses consist of Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2 courses. We also offer four intervention courses.
These are the most common pathways. Students can negotiate variations of these with the administration in order to pursue educational goals.
Math Tutor Lab: Math Tutor Lab supports all students in math each day during advisory in Room 14 (Mrs. Gardner’s room). An upper level math student serves along side Mrs. Gardner, as a peer tutor, to work with underclassmen. The Math Tutor Lab is a quiet place to get more one-on-one time with a proficient math tutor or teacher and get questions answered and work done.
Academic Year Course Instructors
Pre-Algebra – Steve Blocher
Algebra 1/Extended – Elizabeth Lee Steve Blocher
Math Mastery 1 – Reg Hass
Geometry – Reg Hass, Julie Gardner, Elizabeth Lee
Algebra 2 – Mike Talbott
Algebra 2 Honors – Reg Hass, Mike Talbott
Precalculus UCCS Math – Julie Gardner
AP Statistics – Reg Hass
AP Calculus AB/BC – Mike Talbott
Career & Consumer Math – Julie Gardner
Introduction to Programming – Steve Blocher
AP Computer Science A/Principles – Steve Blocher
PPCC MAT - Julie Garner
Steven Blocker - Steven has been teaching Computer Science and Mathematics at Manitou Springs High School since 2010. Prior to MSHS, Steven was a Software Engineer at Lockheed Martin and served five years in the US Navy as an Aviation Electrician and Electronic Warfare Officer. He graduated from Appalachian State University with a BS in Computer Science in 2008. Steven is married to his longtime girlfriend of 26 years and they enjoy playing video games and grilling/smoking carnivorous concoctions on the weekends.
Julie Gardner – Julie Gardner teaches Mathematics and Concurrent Enrollment Courses at Manitou Springs High School. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington in 1990. She was awarded a teaching certificate and Master’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado. Julie began her teaching career at MSHS in 1992, where she has coordinated the Math Tutor Lab, sponsored many activities, and coached several sports. Mrs. Gardner is an Honorarium Faculty Member for UCCS and is an Adjunct Professor for PPCC. She loves spending time with her family and friends, and enjoys hiking, swimming, and playing the flute.
Elizabeth Lee - Elizabeth Lee has taught secondary mathematics for eight years and is very excited to join the MSHS math team this year. She attended college at UCCS and received a BS in Applied Mathematics, with an emphasis in Electrical Engineering. She worked in radio, TV, and utility metering while raising her four children in Manitou Springs. She returned to school in 2012 to complete her teaching certification at CSU Pueblo and fulfill a lifelong dream of helping students find success in mathematics. She has been an active community member in Manitou Springs for over 25 years volunteering with the MAT, Concrete Couch, and the MS Garden Club. Ms. Lee also enjoys hiking, learning the piano, and spending time with family, especially her four grandchildren.
Reginald Hass – Reginald has been teaching since the 2009 school year. He spent four years teaching at both the high school and middle school levels. He has been teaching at Manitou Springs High School since the 2013 school year. He received his bachelor’s at Eastern Washington University and his masters ay University of Texas at Arlington. In his time at MSHS, he has taught Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Algebra 2 Honors, Elementary Statistics, and AP Statistics. Outside of school, he works in SAT and ACT preparation courses as well as learning and teaching karate classes.
Mike Talbott - Mike started teaching at MSHS in 2014 after retiring from the Army with 30 years of service. He received his Electrical Engineering degree at the US Military Academy, his Masters in Systems Engineering degree at Case Western Reserve University, and his MA in Strategic Leadership at the US Army War College. He has been married to his wife Navarre since 1980 and they have three children and five grandchildren. Mike spends his spare time traveling, visiting major league baseball parks, and hiking.