Update from the Teacher Search Committee

Dear Sangha, 

Thank you all for your responses to the Teacher Search Survey and your helpful feedback about the process and what you are looking for in a teacher. You will find many of your comments reflected in the AZG Call Letter, which will be posted in the Zendo and on our website (currently accessible here), and is being circulated through several Soto Zen and teacher communities. Your feedback was also helpful in drafting a Community Profile, which will be provided to interested candidates, and which we hope to share with you in the coming days. 

You can also see a summary of the survey feedback here. We hope to begin receiving responses this Fall and have set aside dates in 2026 when we hope to have prospective teachers visit AZG to meet the Sangha and provide a Dharma talk. Your feedback about their visit and your interactions will again be needed to decide which candidates will be interviewed by the Teacher Search Committee and the Board. 

We hope the entire Sangha will be engaged in the selection and evaluation of Head Teacher candidates in the new year, and we will keep you informed as candidates apply. Please reach out to Elvira, Doris, Lynda or Dana if you have additional suggestions or questions about the search. 

- AZG Teacher Search Committee