Raise
Forge
Boost
My name is Colonel (retired) Michelle Ruehl, Ph.D.
I’m a teacher, a mom, and a veteran running for the District 11 School Board because I believe our children deserve an education that prepares them to lead—locally and globally. That means academic excellence, clear career pathways, and the resilience to thrive in a complex world.
Right now, only 29% of D-11 students are proficient in math and 38% in reading. That’s not acceptable—for my children or the 23,000 others in our district. But this is not a story of despair. It’s a call to action.
We have passionate teachers, committed families, and hardworking students. And we’re seeing progress—ten underperforming schools have moved off the state “watch list,” and D-11 is gaining national attention. Now is the time to accelerate that momentum with bold, focused leadership.
I’ve spent two decades in service—as a military officer, educator, nonprofit founder, and White House Fellow. I’ve taught English in countries like Ghana and Afghanistan, where I saw students rise above their circumstances to succeed. Here in Colorado Springs, I know we can do the same—if we commit to three priorities:
- Raise student proficiency
- Forge career pathways
- Boost mental health and resilience
Together, we can ensure that every D-11 graduate is ready—for college, for career, for life.
Raise
Academic Proficiency
Goal: 70% math and reading proficiency by 2030
- Increase CMAS scores 5% annually
- Use multiple measures of student growth (experiential, performative, standardized)
- Attract, equip, and mentor top teachers with focused, high-quality curricula
Local impact: Higher proficiency means more D-11 graduates succeed in college, careers, and community leadership.
Global impact: U.S. students are falling behind. In a 2022 international study, the U.S. ranked 26th in math. As a former Pentagon strategist, I know our future competitiveness depends on raising academic performance—now.
Forge
Pathways to
Workforce Success
Match local economic opportunity with student potential
- Expand internships, apprenticeships, and experiential learning
- Build direct pipelines to local businesses and major employers
- Advocate innovative tools like Wake Forest’s “Ready7” for career readiness (personal branding, networking, interview skills)
In 2025, Colorado Springs ranked #5 Best Performing City (Milken Institute), driven by tech and innovation. But too many of those jobs go to out-of-town hires. Without direct career pathways, our students risk being priced out of their hometown.
It is estimated that 50% of workers will need reskilling by 2026. Let’s make D-11 the district where students graduate job-ready—equipped with digital, technical, and soft skills.
Boost
Mental Resilience
& Wellness
- Enhance school safety
- Promote psychological resilience
- Build healthy learning environments
Academic success depends on safe and healthy learning environments, from the quality of food we put in the cafeteria, to the behavioral expectations in the classroom and the security of our schools. If students or staff are hungry, angry, distracted, and tired, learning can’t take root. Parents trust our education system with their children. It is our responsibility to be good stewards of that trust in every decision we make.
I work in equine therapy, where we see how safety and trust enable growth—even in 2,000-pound animals. The same applies to students. I’ll advocate for a D-11 ecosystem where students and staff feel safe, respected, and ready to learn; and parents can be confident that their trust in our schools is well placed.
Service-Driven Leadership
I’m a mom, nonprofit founder, soccer coach, Girl Scout leader, and lifelong educator. I’ve worked in war zones, the White House, and classrooms. Through it all, my focus has remained the same: kids come first.
As a D-11 board member, I will build on our progress to:
● Raise academic achievement
● Forge career paths for every student
● Boost mental health and resilience
Let’s elevate our kids—together.
Join the team
Raise ★ Forge ★ Boost
Paid for by Dr. Ruehl for D11
Michelle Ruehl, Registered Agent
Use of military rank, job titles, and photographs in uniform does not imply endorsement by the Department of Defense.