Mr. Jeff Sterk, Principal
Mr. Jeff Sterk is finishing up his 24th year in education and his 11th year as Principal at Mountain Ridge. Prior to being principal at Mountain Ridge, Jeff spent three years teaching 2nd grade and coaching in D49 on the east side of Colorado Springs followed by a year of teaching high school math and coaching in rural Iowa. Then he and his wife Jenny moved back to Colorado and have been serving in Academy District 20 (ASD20) ever since.
Mr. Sterk taught 7th grade, served as Dean of Students and Assistant Principal in ASD20 before taking the helm as Principal at Mountain Ridge. Jeff received his Elementary Education degree from Northwestern College (IA) and then received his master’s degree from the University of Denver in Educational Leadership. Mr. Sterk loves sports and enjoys spending time with his wife and three children!
Mr. Brian Wright, Assistant Principal
Mr. Wright is entering his 27th year as an educator and his 17th year as an assistant principal of Mountain Ridge Middle School. Prior to coming to Mountain Ridge Middle School, Brian spent six years at Air Academy High School serving as a Math teacher and Football coach as well as one year at Pine Creek High School as the Dean of Students.
Brian received his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Saginaw Valley State University and a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Colorado. Brian enjoys working around the house and playing golf, but days spent with his wife and children are his favorite.
Mrs. Renae Roth, Assistant Principal
Mrs. Roth is currently in the middle of her 17th year in education. The 2021-2022 school year was her first year here at Mountain Ridge Middle School. She taught 8th grade Language and Literature as a part of our 8th grade team of teachers. This school year marks Renae’s first year as Assistant Principal, and we are so grateful to have her as part of our awesome administration team. Prior to coming to MRMS, Mrs. Roth was the principal of an online school for three years. Additionally, Renae taught 9th grade through AP English online. Before that, Renae served as a school librarian. She began her career teaching English at Doherty High School right here in Colorado Springs.
Mrs. Roth received her Bachelor’s Degree in English and her Master’s Degree in Educational Media from the University of Northern Colorado. She also acquired her Principal’s License from CSU Global.
In her free time, Renae enjoys traveling and being outdoors with her husband and two sons.
Miss Morgan Keith, Dean of Students
Miss Keith is now in her 13th year of education. The 2022-2023 school year was her 1st year out of the science classroom and into the role of Dean of Students. We are so excited to have her as a new addition to our wonderful administration team here at Mountain Ridge Middle School. Prior to working at MRMS, she worked for three years at Aspen Valley Campus teaching middle school & high school science, while also serving as the Student Council lead. In addition, Morgan spent four years in elementary across grade levels, and spent five years at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.
Morgan received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and is finishing a Master’s in Leadership from UCCS and just completed her Principal’s License from our very own ASD20 as part of Cohort VIII. Prior, she received her Master’s in Education with an Elementary Teaching License from the University of Northern Colorado.
In her spare time Morgan enjoys kickboxing, hiking, snowboarding, and paddleboarding with her dog. Most of all though, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
