HOME > OUR SCHOOL >
School governance at St. Michael’s School centers on the School’s Board of Trustees. The Board serves as dedicated stewards of the School’s mission, working in partnership with the Head of School to nurture a strong, vibrant, and caring community. Trustees provide guidance on vision and strategy, ensuring that St. Michael’s continues to thrive for generations to come, while the Head of School and faculty lead the daily life of teaching and learning.
Overview of Operations
Operating within the framework of the Episcopal Church, St. Michael’s School is a ministry of the Parish of St. Michael and All Angels. The Rector, Wardens, and Vestry of the Church have delegated the management of the affairs and policies of the school, in turn, to the Board of Trustees.
The Board of Trustees includes the Rector, Vestry representatives, parishioners, the Head of St. Michael’s School, parents, and other members of the community. The Rector and Head of School are ex-officio (i.e., non-voting) members of the Board. At all times, at least 33% of the voting membership of the Board must consist of members in good standing of the Church of St. Michael and All Angels. New members are nominated by a Committee of Trustees and then approved by the Vestry.
The Board of Trustees does not intervene in the School’s daily affairs, such as curriculum development and hiring, evaluating faculty, or on issues related to daily routines. Instead, the primary responsibilities of the Board, which meets on a monthly basis during the academic year, include three functions critical to the success of the School: it selects, evaluates, and supports the Head of School, to whom it delegates authority to manage the School; it develops broad institutional policies that guide the Head in running the school; and it is accountable for the financial sustainability and strategic goals of the school.
Head of School
Dr. Matt Teller
Head of School
Dr. Teller has dedicated more than 25 years to working in Tucson’s independent schools. Before joining St. Michael’s in 2017, he taught Spanish and served as Upper School Principal and later as Head of School at Green Fields Country Day School. He then spent four years teaching Spanish at The Gregory School before coming to St. Michael’s, where he has served in roles as both an administrator and teacher. Dr. Teller holds a Ph.D. in Second Language Acquisition and an M.A. in Spanish Linguistics, both from the University of Arizona, as well as a B.S. in Psychology from Georgetown University.
He is the proud dad of two St. Michael’s graduates. In his free time, Dr. Teller enjoys spending time outdoors and playing his mandolin with Tucson’s bluegrass community.
Board of Trustees
Ian Milliken
Chair
Agnes Soeder
Vice-Chair
Melissa Dolezal
Secretary
Dr. David Brown
Treasurer
Matthew Teller
Head of School
The Rev. David Hedges, BSG
Rector
Becoming a Trustee at St. Michael’s
At St. Michael’s School, our Board of Trustees plays a vital role in sustaining the mission and spirit of our Episcopal school—helping to ensure that we remain a community where children are educated in mind, body, and spirit for lives of meaning and purpose.
Trustees are dedicated volunteers who bring diverse talents, experiences, and perspectives to their leadership. The Committee on Trustees (Governance Committee) leads an ongoing process to identify and invite individuals whose gifts align with the needs of the School and who share a deep commitment to its values and future.
Through thoughtful conversations and discernment, prospective trustees learn about the School’s mission and the responsibilities of Board service. New trustees are then nominated by the Committee and elected by the full Board. Above all, we seek individuals who lead with integrity, care deeply about the St. Michael’s community, and are eager to help guide the School forward with faith and
purpose.
For more information on trustee service at St. Michael’s School, please contact the Governance Committee Chair.