Tresa Wilson has been named HOS at St. Paul’s Episcopal School in Waco.
Saint Paul’s Episcopal School is pleased to announce the appointment of Tresa R. Wilson as the school’s next Head of School, effective July 1, 2026. Following a thoughtful and comprehensive national search, the Board of Trustees unanimously approved Ms. Wilson’s selection, with full support from the Search Committee and the Saint Paul’s Church Vestry.
Teresa will succeed Mrs. M’Lissa Howen, who will retire in June 2026 after nine years of dedicated leadership. The Board expressed deep gratitude for Mrs. Howen’s steady guidance and commitment to Saint Paul’s, noting that she and her leadership team will work closely with Ms. Wilson to ensure a smooth and supportive transition.
A Leader Rooted in Experience and Community
Ms. Wilson currently serves as Assistant Head of School at Trinity Preparatory School of Florida, where she has been a member of the leadership team since 2022. Prior to Trinity Prep, she spent nearly 16 years at The Hockaday School in Dallas, holding a range of impactful roles including fourth grade teacher, Lower School Language Arts Coordinator, Travel Program Coordinator, and Director of Inclusion and Community.
Her broad professional background reflects deep experience across academic leadership, student programming, faculty development, and community engagement—qualities that resonated strongly throughout the search process.
“We are confident that Tresa is the visionary and gifted leader we need to take Saint Paul’s to the next level of excellence,” shared the Rev. Samantha Smith, Board Chair and Co-Chair of the Search Committee. “From the start, the Committee appreciated her warmth and sincerity, her commitment to Episcopal education and spiritual nourishment, her dedication to teacher support and retention, and her student-centered approach to learning.”
Deep Roots in Texas and Episcopal Education
A native of Tyler, Texas, Ms. Wilson brings both professional excellence and a deep appreciation for strong, faith-centered school communities. She holds a degree in Journalism from the University of Texas at Tyler and a Master’s degree in Bilingual Education from Southern Methodist University, along with numerous professional honors and teaching awards.
Her leadership philosophy emphasizes whole-school growth, supporting faculty and staff development, nurturing student success, strengthening family partnerships, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the school.
A Community-Guided Search Process
Ms. Wilson was selected from a strong and diverse pool of candidates through a national search led by The Education Group. Saint Paul’s extends heartfelt thanks to the six-member Search Committee, representing trustees, church leadership, parents, faculty, and alumni, as well as the School Board, Vestry, and broader community, for their engagement, feedback, and prayers throughout the process.
A Message from Incoming Head of School, Tresa R. Wilson
In a message to the Saint Paul’s community, Ms. Wilson shared her excitement and gratitude:
“It is my honor to be selected as the next Head of School. I am so excited to become a member of the Saint Paul’s community and to build upon the school’s legacy of excellence. From my first visit, I experienced a close-knit, welcoming community marked by warmth, curiosity, and meaningful dialogue.
I look forward to building on the remarkable accomplishments of M’Lissa Howen and continuing to advance Saint Paul’s mission, educational philosophy, and strategic priorities with clarity, accountability, and care. As a listener and learner, I welcome collaboration and shared leadership as we shape the future of Saint Paul’s together. I am honored to begin this journey alongside the entire Saint Paul’s community in July 2026.”
Saint Paul’s Episcopal School warmly welcomes Ms. Wilson and her family to Waco and looks forward to the leadership, energy, and vision she will bring in the years ahead.