PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla., Sept. 14, 2026 — PVPV Rawlings Elementary School welcomes Ruth E. Cortés as assistant principal, joining Principal Jill Hillier and Assistant Principal Christi Thomas on the school’s administrative team.
Cortés has worked in the St. Johns County School District since 2014, serving as a Spanish teacher, dean of students and assistant principal. Her new role marks a return to Ponte Vedra, where she previously taught Spanish at Ponte Vedra High School.
“Ponte Vedra has always held a special place in my heart, and I am honored to be coming back home to serve at PVPV/Rawlings. I believe great schools thrive when people work together, serve one another, and genuinely care for each other, and I look forward to growing and learning alongside our students, staff, and families,” Cortés said.
Most recently, Cortés served as assistant principal at Landrum Middle School and Pine Island Academy. She previously served as dean of students at St. Augustine High School. Her experience spans grades K-12.
At PVPV Rawlings, Cortés is especially focused on students in grades 3-5 and preparing them for the transition to middle school. She emphasizes building student confidence, resilience and the skills needed for their next steps.
Cortés describes her approach to working with families and the school community through her ABCs: Always Communicate, Build Relationships and Celebrate each other.
Cortés holds a Master of Education with a specialization in educational leadership from Concordia University Nebraska, a Master of TESOL with a specialization in teaching ESOL K-12 and a Bachelor of Arts in education with a major in Spanish education K-12 from Messiah College in Grantham, Pennsylvania. Her training also includes Air Force Officer School. Before joining the St. Johns County School District, she served as a fifth- through 12th-grade electives teacher and ESOL coordinator at Helen Thackston Charter School in York, Pennsylvania.
About PVPV Rawlings Elementary School
Located in Ponte Vedra Beach, PVPV Rawlings Elementary School is part of the St. Johns County School District and serves students from VPK through fifth grade across two neighboring campuses. The PVPV campus serves VPK through second grade, and the Rawlings campus serves grades 3-5. PVPV Rawlings is an A-rated school that combines high academic expectations with character development, enrichment opportunities and strong family involvement. Its “Work Hard, Be Kind, Be Awesome!” motto reflects a school community focused on academic growth, kindness and connection.