Superintendent

Dreaming Big

Creating ‘a world of our own’ takes vision and creativity—qualities that have defined Superintendent Jason Manuel’s leadership of Germantown Municipal Schools.
 

From 1995 to 2008, Mr. Manuel taught science at Houston High School, where he shared his passion for subjects such as horticulture, environmental science, ecology, biology, and journalism. He also contributed to the school’s athletics programs as an assistant coach for both boys’ and girls’ soccer teams. In 2008, he transitioned into leadership, serving as assistant principal at Houston High School before becoming the principal of Houston Middle School in 2011.

Building a World-Class School District

In 2014, Mr. Manuel reached a pivotal milestone in his career when he was appointed the first and only Superintendent of GMSD. Building a district from the foundation up, Mr. Manuel has ushered GMSD through numerous milestones, including consistently earning the highest district ACT scores in Tennessee along with state and national accomplishments in both the arts and athletics. His focus on academic excellence and innovation has helped maintain Germantown’s reputation for producing high-achieving students. Mr. Manuel has also overseen more than $100 million in capital improvements, leading to the renovation and expansion of several schools. Projects such as Riverdale School, Houston Middle School, and Forest Hill Elementary have received national recognition for their exceptional design and functionality.  Mr. Manuel and his team are often lauded for thinking 'outside of the box'.

Awards

An early advocate for community engagement, Mr. Manuel was recognized by the National School Public Relations Association’s Superintendents to Watch award in 2016. By 2023, he had earned NSPRA's prestigious Communication Technology Award for Superintendents, which honors only one superintendent per year who utilizes innovative communication tools and practices. Under his leadership, GMSD has introduced initiatives such as a mobile app, digital newsletters, and a two-way messaging platform to strengthen community engagement and communication.  Mr. Manuel has also been honored with the TSSAA A.F. Bridges Award for his integrity and ethical leadership. In 2020, the Tennessee Department of Education named him Regional Superintendent of the Year.

Leadership

For the past eight years, Mr. Manuel has served on the Executive Committee of the Superintendents Study Council, an organization that collaborates closely with the Tennessee Department of Education to evaluate instructional programs and recommend enhancements. Additionally, Mr. Manuel has concurrently served as Chairman of the Southwest Core within the Tennessee Department of Education. The Southwest Core, part of the state’s Centers of Regional Excellence (CORE), provides tailored support to school districts across Tennessee. As chair, he collaborates with fellow superintendents to guide strategic planning and monitor the state’s educational priorities.

His leadership has become a cornerstone of the Germantown Municipal School District’s culture. His vision continues to shape the future of our schools as we build "a world of our own."
 

The Superintendent's Report

Each month, the Superintendent updates the public on key progress on the District's Strategic Plan 2025.  The Superintendent's Report is delivered at the beginning of each Germantown Board of Education Business Meeting.  The meetings are open to the public and are both live-streamed and recorded.  Each report last approximately ten minutes and provides an insightful look at the work of our students, staff, and teachers.