Michael is known for his ability to create positive cultures and inspire those around him, perfectly aligning with our district’s vision of both dreaming big and inspiring personal excellence–for our employees.
Michael joins us from Collierville Elementary School, where he currently serves as Principal, leading over 100 employees. During his time at CES, he implemented the Ron Clark Academy House System and saw remarkable results, culminating in a recent visit from Ron Clark himself! Under Michael’s leadership, CES advanced from a level 3 to a level 5 school (the highest academic achievement status). When asked about his success, Michael credited the culture shift within the school, quoting author Jon Gordon: ‘First the root, then the fruit,’ emphasizing the importance of cultivating a strong community before seeing results.
Before his tenure at CES, Michael served as Assistant Principal at Houston Middle School, where he managed scheduling for over 900 students and played a key role in testing coordination and teacher development. His earlier career at Shelby County Schools saw him as an oft-favorite teacher, delivering engaging lessons and serving as a grade chair, yearbook developer, and learning coach.
Michael's journey with GMSD is one filled with fond memories. During his time at Houston Middle School, he was well-known and well-loved by students, staff, and families alike. He was also a part of the team that innovated and implemented the House System at HMS. Now, Michael returns to GMSD with a focus on recruiting, developing, and celebrating the best talent for the district.
Elissa Stratton, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, is excited to welcome Michael back to GMSD and is eager to begin collaborating with him on recruiting and employee enhancement initiatives. “Michael’s experience as both an assistant principal and principal gives him unique insight into how best to support our teachers, staff, and school leaders. His passion for building strong cultures and developing people is exactly what GMSD needs in this role. I cannot wait for Michael to reconnect with our staff. I have no doubt he will quickly remember that our employees share a sense of teamwork, positivity, and purpose that makes GMSD such a special place to work.”
Michael expressed his excitement about the new role, saying, “I’ve always been fascinated by human resources. It’s a field that’s at the heart of building a great culture. While I love my job as principal, the opportunity to return to GMSD and help shape the district’s future through HR is a dream come true.”
Known for his out-of-the-box ideas and ability to build lasting relationships, Michael will bring his leadership experience to the forefront as he helps to train and support not just new teachers and staff but also our school administrators. His understanding of school culture and the needs of educators makes him the perfect fit for this pivotal role.
Michael will begin transitioning out of his current role and officially start his duties at GMSD in January 2025. Until then, we’re already counting down the days—get ready, GMSD, Michael’s coming home!