Melissa Skiles

Assistant Principal
Email: melissa_skiles@demarillac.org
Extension: 101

Melissa Skiles was raised in a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri, and her diverse and multifaceted education continues to inspire her pedagogical and leadership practices. While earning her BA in Creative Writing from Missouri State University, she was honored with a feature in the Soul of a Poet reading series. Upon graduation, Melissa moved to Chicago, Illinois, and briefly worked in the advertising and non-profit sectors before pursuing a career in education, driven by her desire to support disenfranchised and under-resourced adolescent youth in the inner city. After completing her Master's degree in Education at DePaul University, a Catholic Vincentian institution, she continued her work in inner-city Chicago as a Learning Behavior Specialist and inclusive education leader. Melissa then spent nearly a decade in the Middle East, where she continued her leadership in education both in schools and by training teachers and other school leaders before relocating to San Francisco in 2022.

Throughout her career, Melissa has founded and led five additional needs departments, served as an instructional and senior leader in K-12 schools, and presented at domestic and international conferences on inclusive education and leadership. Outside of her professional life, Melissa enjoys painting, music, traveling, and greeting all of the city’s furry friends while out and about. Her personal experiences have profoundly shaped her commitment to creating inclusive and supportive educational environments for all students, and she is excited to work in partnership with DeMarillac Academy’s community.