Meet Principal Ruiz

To our Little Dragon Community,

I am completely humbled and honored to step into the role as principal of Collierville Elementary.  The 2021-2022 school year will begin my 15th year in education.  My educational journey began in January of 2007 as a student teacher in kindergarten at Germantown Elementary School.  From the moment I stepped foot into a classroom I knew I had found my calling.  The opportunity to invest in changing young lives has been far more rewarding than I ever could have imagined.  That fall I was hired to teach 5th grade Language Arts and Social Studies at GES.  I spent the next 7 years having the most fun of my life planning engaging lessons, dressing up in goofy costumes, playing kickball at recess, and creating memories for my students that they would hopefully take with them the rest of their lives.

In 2014, at the start of the new municipal school districts, I joined Germantown Municipal School District as an assistant principal at Houston Middle School.  I spent the next 7 years walking alongside teachers to support them in being the best educators they could be for our students.  I spent time developing mentorship programs for our middle schoolers so that they could see how their actions could create positive changes and impact the lives of others.

And now I begin my 15th year in education.  I could not be more excited to join an incredible school system in Collierville Schools and serve as the leader of what could only be described as THE best elementary school in the state – Collierville E!  I am excited to get to know our students, our teachers, and our families.  My goal is to continue the mission that has been set in place – to equip Little Dragons with the skills necessary to be successful in learning, leadership, and life.  It is my vision that Collierville E is a place where all students feel welcome, loved, and valued.

As we begin a new school year, I am grateful that we are able to see many of our in-person events return.  I am thrilled to open back up our playgrounds and cafeteria for our students to enjoy! We have a lot of exciting events planned for this new school year, and we can’t wait to see all of our Little Dragons walk back into the building on August 9th.

If I can ever be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to reach out me at jruiz@colliervilleschools.org or (901) 853-3300.  I am looking forward to an incredible school year!

Your Principal,

J. Michael Ruiz