Mr. Schmitz

Welcome to Math!
Mr. Schmitz


Machu Picchu
My family and I on our trip to Machu Picchu in 2022! We hiked the last 8 miles on the Inca Trail to enter Machu Picchu. 
My wife Carrie Ann, is a Spanish teacher at Rocky Heights. My daughter, Taylor is a sophomore at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, and my son, Tanner is working on his master's and at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix!
I started my teaching career in 2000, working in an elementary school in Windsor, CO. In the summer of 2000 we moved to Littleton, and I started teaching in Douglas County. An interesting fact, I was the first 6th grade teacher hired at Rocky Heights, after teaching in the elementary setting for 5 years. In 2012, our family moved to Costa Rica, where I taught English at a private boys' school.  We loved our year in Costa Rica, but we were happy to return to Highlands Ranch for the following school year.
I am looking forward to a great year!
Mr. Schmitz on Mt. Bross

I love hiking! Last summer I was able to hike Mt. Democrat (14,148), Mt. Lincoln (14,286), Mt. Cameron (14,238) and Mt Bross (14,178) all in one day! The picture is from Mt. Bross the final one!

Tidbitz from Mr. Schmitz

I love mistakes. Every time you make a mistake your brain grows.

Failure and struggle do not mean you cannot do math - these are the most important parts of math and learning.

I don't value you working quickly; I value you working in depth, creating interesting pathways and representations.

Everyone can learn math to the highest level.