Tefs made big impact in 13 years with Wooster schools
Dr. Michael Tefs recently left his position as superintendent of Wooster City Schools for a similar post with Revere.
Dr. Michael Tefs’ entire career – and passion – has centered around educating students. Beginning as a science teacher and working his way to Superintendent of the Wooster City Schools, Tefs has consistently focused on student achievement. In his 13 years as superintendent in Wooster, Tefs made a positive impression across the Wooster community.
“I’m a teacher at heart, it’s my DNA, and everything I’ve done was built on a foundation for being a science teacher. I started teaching science in the Berea and Westlake Schools,” said Tefs. “Along the way I got a master’s degree in education adminstration. Then one thing led to another, I became a principal. I really fell in love with curriculum and instruction.”
Tefs, who recently departed is position for a similar post as superintendent at Revere Local Schools in Summit County, was selected to lead the Wooster City School District in 2008. Immediately prior to coming to Wooster, Tefs was assistant superintendent in Wadsworth — ironically, the same position held by his successor, new WCSD chief Gabe Tudor. Tefs also managed to pick up a doctoral degree in education along the way while working full time.
“I love being a lifelong learner,” said Tefs. “I’ve spent a lot of my career analyzing data, identifying gaps, and finding solutions to support our teachers and to support student achievement. It’s those experiences that prepared me the most to be a superintendent.”
As he prepared to leave for his new job at Revere, Tefs reflected on what he would miss the most in Wooster: “Our employees first,” he said. “Maybe it’s just because I have been here for 13 years, but our employees, from food services, to bus drivers and maintenance, to teachers — they are some of the finest collection of people that I have ever met. They are very passionate about their roles. They are loyal to the work they provide to students. And they are not afraid to be innovative.
“Second, the community — I feel very fortunate and blessed to have had the opportunity to have served this school district. I am a better person and a better professional because the experience. I’ll look back on this in retirement-land some day and be very fond of this experience.”
The feelings are mutual, as others in the community have also noted their sadness at Tefs’ departure.
“We will miss Michael when he leaves,” said Bill Gantz, who served on the Wooster City Schools Board for 10 years until resigning in May. “He played a key role and has a lot of drive around facilities. He’s looking 5-10 years down the road.”
Sue Herman, school board president, called Tefs’ departure “bittersweet.”
“Where do I even start?” Herman said. “It’s hard to wrap my head around the whole thing. We’re excited about Mr. Tudor joining us, but it’s bittersweet to be losing Dr. Tefs. I have come to trust his judgement and advice. He’s been a mentor to me as I have learned more about education in a different way.
“His sense of humor, his genuine love for this community and this school district — the pride that he has for the students and the teachers and the accomplishments they rendered on a daily basis — is heartwarming. He knows our students, you see him fist bumping. He loves our kids.”
It is no surprise that Tefs had a huge impact on the community after more than a decade of work. He designed and implemented many initiatives and programs, such as the school improvement model, called the Ohio Improvement Process.
“We started that in 2008 and in 2021, it is still here,” Tefs said. “That same school improvement model, and I’m really happy about the systems and protocols that are in place at the teacher, building and district levels to have a growth mindset on continuous improvement. This particular process is a … teacher-based process.”
That said, leading a school with a $58 million budget and balancing a large budget that funds a public school system is a challenge for any superintendent, because there are three different revenue streams — local property owners, state, and federal government – “and they all have a voice. The fed and state say what they need you to do, and the local community always asks what they would like to see,” said Tefs.
Despite the challenges, the community will remember Tefs for his hard work, contribution to education and commitment to the community during the pandemic, as well as his longevity in the position. It turns out that the average stint a superintendent has in a given role in Ohio is just under 4 years, so Tefs’ 13-year stint far exceeded the norm in Ohio.
“This was not a job for me. This was a lifestyle. It was 24/7, 365,” Tefs said. “And it was broader than just the public school system. I am grateful and proud of the commitment and duration of leadership.”