Michael Skidmore

“Coach Skid,” as his twenty-plus years of students and athletes call him, spent his early years in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota, where he developed his lifelong love affair with the outdoors. This love developed further after his family was transferred around the USA almost yearly, including one special time living on McNeal Island in the Puget Sound of Washington that was perfect for feeding his interest in all things marine life related.

Michael has worked a plethora of hands-on jobs, including shaving and trimming palm trees, which was one of his all time favorites. He feels this diverse background gives him a unique ability to provide real world connections to his students’ academic and extracurricular studies. He has worked with young people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds, for over two decades. First in athletics, coaching numerous levels from peewee to high school varsity, and numerous sports from girl’s softball (state champs!) to wrestling to football and many more. Coaching led to a desire to work with young people full time, culminating with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education at the ripe old age of 48. Coach says this was the best decision of his life!

Michael has two wonderful children of his own, of whom he is very proud, and one of whom recently blessed him with his first grandson! They named him Tirian, after a king in the Chronicles of Narnia books. Mike recently moved back to Tucson after more than thirty years away. His niece and nephew attended Kino, prompting a strong desire to teach here and he is extremely excited to finally get the chance to work with the amazing Kino family of staff and students!