Our board is composed of dedicated individuals who are passionate about our mission and committed to providing the best educational experience for your children. Get to know our board members below:
The Rev. John Newton serves as the rector of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church and as Chair of the St. Michael’s Episcopal Day School Board. A lifelong Episcopalian, John was baptized and confirmed at St. Mark’s in Beaumont, Texas. After graduating in 2004 from the University of Texas with a bachelor’s degree in business studies (BBA), John worked for eighteen months as the program coordinator for the Episcopal college ministry on the UT campus. In 2008, John graduated from Virginia Theological Seminary and was ordained to the priesthood at All Saints Episcopal Church in January of 2009, where he served for almost three years as the University of Texas Campus Missioner. In February of 2011, John began working as a Canon on Bishop Andy Doyle’s staff, a position he held for just over seven years. In March of 2018, John moved back to Austin to begin working as rector of St. Michael’s. John is the author of three books: New Clothes: Putting on Christ and Finding Ourselves (2014), Falling into Grace: Exploring our Inner Life with God (2016), and Reckless Love: the Scandal of Grace in a Performance-Driven World. John is married to his best friend, Emily. They have two girls, Annie and K.K. Annie started in the Puppies classroom in February of 2018, and K.K. started in the Ducklings classroom in October 2018. John and Emily could not be more excited to have their daughters at the St. Michael’s Day School, and, as rector, John is eager to find ways to naturally connect the mission of the church and school.
Our Music Educator, Ms. April, was raised in a musical home, participating in the Music Together program with her parents. She began studying piano when she was five and studied voice throughout her middle and high school years. She also attended Heartsong Music for more than two years. She has a M.Ed. in Secondary Education and Literature and is a certified teacher in the state of Texas.
Kristen LeClair co-founded 994 Group, a wealth management firm in Austin, Texas, with her husband after a 20-year career in the financial services industry. She is passionate about educating clients on the tenets of wealth management, but more importantly, empowering them to have richer relationships and live fuller lives. For her, living a rich life includes giving back to others which called her to serve on the board of St. Michael’s Episcopal Day School in addition to non-profits Well Aware and Drive a Senior SW. Kristen earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from UNC Charlotte and a Master of Business Administration from the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. She currently serves as clients a Registered Investment Adviser and is licensed by the Texas Department of Insurance. She is also a Kolbe Certified Consultant. Kristen is most proud of her wonderfully blended family who are joyful parishioners at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church. She relishes time with her amazing husband and partner, Ted, three sons – Nolan, Davis, and Teddy, pups Hopper and Nimitz, and Hetfield the hamster. In those rare moments of alone time, she enjoys running, reading, and heavy metal music.
Jennie was first introduced to the Reggio Emilia philosophy when her son started at St. Michael's in the Puppies classroom in 2015, and she is happy to be able to serve on the board of St. Michael's Day School and to support and promote the play-based and child-centric approach that makes the school so special. Her son having now graduated and moved on to elementary school, Jennie has seen first-hand the benefits of the St. Michael's approach to learning and social development, and counts the school a major factor in her child's successful transition to a traditional school environment. Before deciding to stay home and focus on raising her son, Jennie worked as a Software Developer and Development Manager, and has also worked in various roles within the film industry. Born and raised in New England, Jennie loves to travel and has lived in California, Ireland, and France and after marrying a native Austinite, has been in Austin for over 10 years. Photography, crafting, cooking, and organizing are just a few of the interests Jennie tries to make time for within the busyness and fun of full-time mothering.