Governance & Leadership Home
Mission-Focused Leadership in Action
Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac Catholic School is governed and led through a mission-centered structure that ensures fidelity to the teachings of the Catholic Church and the charism of the Company of Mary. Rooted in a commitment to forming the whole child, the school operates as an apostolic educational community dedicated to guiding students toward a personal relationship with Jesus Christ while cultivating lives of discernment, truth, and service.
The school is entrusted to operate in communion with the Diocesse of Orange. This relationship ensures alignment with Church teaching, sacramental life, and the broader mission of Catholic education. A consultative board or advisory council, Home and School Association, supports the mission by offering expertise in areas such as fundraising, facilities improvement, and strategic planning, always in service to the school’s Catholic identity and long-term vitality.
The principal serves as the chief educational and spiritual leader of the school, responsible for implementing the mission through instructional leadership, faith formation, and community engagement. In collaboration with faculty and staff, the principal fosters a culture that reflects the Educational Model of the Company of Mary—prioritizing personalized learning, relational trust, and the dignity of each student.
Leadership at all levels is guided by a commitment to continuous improvement, transparency, and shared responsibility. Faculty and staff are formed not only as educators but as witnesses to the Gospel, integrating faith into all aspects of school life. Through intentional communication, collaborative structures, and ongoing formation, the school ensures that all stakeholders—students, families, and staff—are active participants in a vibrant, faith-filled community.
In all aspects of governance and leadership, Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac Catholic School remains steadfast in its mission: to educate hearts and minds in truth, form disciples rooted in faith, and prepare students to lead lives of purpose, service, and holiness.
Dr. Michelle Wechsler
Dear Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac Families,
It is with a grateful heart and great joy that I welcome you to the 2026–2027 school year at Saint Jeanne de
Lestonnac Catholic School.
From the moment I learned more about this community, I felt a deep sense of connection to its mission, its
Catholic identity, and its commitment to educating the whole child in an environment of care and commitment
to exploring our God-given gifts.
As a graduate of Harvard University and Loyola University, I have been blessed with opportunities to learn,
grow, and serve in many different settings. Throughout my professional journey, I have remained deeply
committed to social justice, inclusion, and creating communities where every person knows that they matter.
These values are at the heart of who I am as an educator and leader, and they beautifully reflect the Gospel call
to love our neighbor, serve others, and recognize the dignity of every person.
Here at Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac school, we embrace our 400-year tradition, believing that a great school is
built on relationships—between teachers and students, families and faculty, school and parish, and most
importantly, between each of us and God. I want Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac to be a place where students feel
safe to dream, courageous enough to try, supported when they struggle, and inspired to use their gifts in
service to others.
Our theme this year, “If Only I Had a Thousand Lives,” reminds us of the words and spirit of Saint Jeanne de
Lestonnac—a woman who understood that a life given in service to God and others can have an impact far
beyond what we can imagine.
Blessings for this 2026-2027 year,
Dr. Michelle Wechsler
Principal
Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac Catholic School
