About Ms. Sprigg

My name is Natalie Sprigg and I am excited to be returning for my 2nd/10th year at MRMS! In the past, I worked with both North and South Middle Schools (in Aurora) as a Math Coach and Teacher, at MVHS across the parking lot, and at Kaiser Permanente as a trainer and programmer. This is the beginning of my 16th year in education.

I taught in Douglas County from the beginning of my career, starting at Ranch View Middle School and then moving to Mountain Ridge Middle School for 8 years. Ten years ago I took some time off to work with Scantron and the Adams 50 School District in Westminster to design and implement assessments in their innovative Standards Based Education system. I learned that I missed the classroom, and more importantly, the kids, and had to return to teaching. I landed at Mountain Vista High School for three years.

While working in Douglas County I taught 7th through 11th grade mathematics to students of all ability levels. In addition to my classroom teaching, I worked on the District's Service Learning committee, organized a middle school Speech and Debate Program, Coached a Nationally recognized high school Speech and Debate Program, coached Middle School MathCounts, served on the Discovery (G/T) Advisory Council and the Algebra 1 Study Team, participated in the Math Leadership program for the district, and was the Chair of the Math Curriculum Council for three years. In those years I was honored as the WalMart Teacher of the year in 2004, and was an Apple Award Finalist for Secondary Educators in 2013. I left MVHS in 2013 to join APS as an Instructional Coach.

In 2016 I had the great honor of being invited to provide professional development for the Math Department at the American International School of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. I continue to incorporate best instructional practices in my own classroom daily.

After three years in APS, I tried a stint in the corporate world, training Physicians with Kaiser Permanente and then working with a team to develop and enhance the programming for Electronic Medical Records (EMRs). I worked with amazing physicians and staff and loved my team, but missed the incredible energy of middle school. I returned to MRMS in the fall of 2018. It was an incredible year and in July I was announced as a Colorado Finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. I will not know for several more months if I am selected as the Colorado winner.

Outside of school I love reading, cooking, baking, swimming and volunteering. I enjoy music of all genres and would love to see more concerts live if they didn't cost so much. I especially love playing games and enjoying "Game Night" with my friends and family. I have no children, but an adorable cat, Chloe, who has lived with me for 14 years.

I admit, and own, the fact that I am a numbers nerd. I was never cool growing up and am totally ok with that. Math was not easy for me and I really struggled to do well. I use that knowledge and experience in my own classroom every day. At the same time, I love math and the fascinating interactions between numbers, and shapes and patterns and how math works the way it does. I hope that you'll enjoy that enthusiasm and will join me in being an occasional "numbers nerd."

I love the students at MRMS and the positive energy they bring each day. I am confident this is going to be a wonderful year together!

The best way to reach me is always by email. I return most emails within 24 hours. Phone messages could take quite a bit longer to answer.

You can reach me at nsprigg@dcsdk12.org!