Dear readers of our community:
As we approach the end of another magical year in Manitou Springs School District 14, we wanted to write this letter of appreciation and celebration of a job well done by our principal, Maria Masone.
A longstanding community member, teacher, assistant principal, dean of students and advocate for all learners, Ms. Masone stepped up as our Manitou Springs Elementary School principal in 2020 during the height of the pandemic.
Though this was a longtime dream of hers, the immediacy of her assuming the position was not part of her anticipated timeline! With her staff, her students and the community at the forefront of her thinking, Ms. Masone took on this tremendous and critical role during a time when public education was in upheaval.
We know that we speak for many other members of our staff when we say that we are eternally grateful. We have since found even more gratitude and appreciation in each day of her leadership.
Ms. Masone 100 percent supports her staff through listening, collaborating and acting. She lifts the leadership roles around her; she has never been a one-person show.
When Ms. Masone says that she is going to take care of something, she takes care of it! Her follow-through is there, and she always assumes ownership when needed. She is open to feedback and eager to grow.
She is genuinely excited to see every student in our school building. She knows their names and their stories, and greets them with a warm smile every morning. The heart of Manitou Springs Elementary begins within our leadership, and Ms. Masone embodies our school’s respect of the whole child.
It takes a tremendously strong person to care that deeply and altruistically for each and every child.
So much has changed for teachers, staff, students and community members over the past few years. We would not have been this successful navigating these changes without Ms. Masone as our leader.
We cannot imagine our school without her, nor would we ever want to. Our staff is looking forward to our bright and positive future!
With sincere gratitude,
Mrs. Madeline Goldman, Mrs. Jessi Larsen and Mrs. Christi Marquardt
Fourth-grade teachers, Manitou Springs Elementary School