Welcome New Mountainside Principal

Melanie Baker is the new principal of Mountainside Elementary. She has a long history in the Fountain-Fort Carson School District (FFC8), which started when she was a student. She's held several positions in the district including, student teacher at Aragon, teacher, reading interventionist, and instructional coach at Abrams, and Assistant Principal at Weikel. 

"I have spent my entire career serving schools on Fort Carson and our military families. As a former FFC8 student and military child, I love giving back to the community that raised me," said Baker. 

Principal Baker graduated from CSU-Pueblo in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She also attended Grand Canyon University in 2006 where she earned a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction: Reading, then she attended Argosy University in 2016 earning a master’s degree in Educational Administration. 

Baker says her first priority as principal is to listen to the needs of the school community (staff, students, and parents) and then to work together toward meeting those needs. 

"My ultimate goal is to work with staff to maintain a safe, respectful, fun, and rigorous learning environment where all students experience success," said Principal Baker. 

She's excited to get started in her new role. 

"I can’t wait to build relationships with the staff, students, and parents! I enjoy being visible and interacting with the school community each day," said Principal Baker. 

Fun Facts: "In my free time I love to hike, craft, read, and spend time with my son, Toby. I love butterflies and the color purple!"