Quail Glen Elementary School Welcomes New Principal

Even though the teachers, staff and students of Quail Glen Elementary School in Roseville have been in school for over a month, today was the first day for the school’s new principal, Collette Presley.

Dry Creek Joint Elementary School District board members appointed Presley to be principal of the kindergarten through fifth-grade school on Sept. 1 after the departure of former principal, Jim Ferguson, was announced. Ferguson assumed a position as Director of Labor Relations/Student Services at the district office.

“I feel so fortunate to be able to be a part of this extraordinary community,” said Presley, who grew up in the Roseville/Rocklin area and graduated from . “Quail Glen has such a supportive group of teachers, staff and families. I’m looking forward to being a part of such an outstanding team.”

Prior to joining the Quail Glen staff, Presley was a middle school assistant principal in the Rescue Union School District for the past five years. In addition, she spent 23 years in the Newcastle Elementary School District where her experience included being an elementary school assistant principal, classroom teacher, technology coordinator/mentor, library media coordinator and reading incentive coordinator.

“I also was involved with after school enrichment classes and a recycling program while I worked at Marina Village Middle School in the Rescue district,” she said.

With so much energy and interest in a variety of areas, you won’t find Presley sitting behind her desk too often.

“I will be out greeting parents and students in the morning before school and telling them all goodbye when the school day is complete," she said. “My style is very hands-on. I like to be visible and out in the classrooms, reading to students, out on the playground, or in the lunch room, wherever the kids are.”

When she’s not occupied with principal responsibilities Presley said she enjoys a variety of sports including swimming, biking, volleyball and hiking and spending time with her husband, her parents, four daughters and 2-year-old granddaughter.

“I taught swimming for the City of Roseville when I was 16,” she said.  “I think that is what got me interested in becoming a teacher. I have also coached the Roseville Sugar Bears swim team, taught swimming at Auburn Recreation District in Auburn and I coached football, softball, volleyball and cheerleading.

“I love the process of learning. Children are so eager and positive. I enjoy watching them grow and learn."

Her experience and love of children is what made her a standout amongst the candidates for the Quail Glen principal position according to Dry Creek Joint Elementary School District Superintendent Mark Geyer.

“The role of principal is hugely important. They are the face of the school,” Geyer said. “We were looking for someone with administrative experience as well as a person who would be a good match with the Quail Glen community. Collette emerged as the best of the best in all
categories.”