Disciple and Dharma heir of Dainin Katagiri Roshi, Rev. Teijo Munnich studied with him from 1975 until his death in 1990. She was ordained as a Zen priest in 1981. She received formal training at Hokyoji (Catching the Moon Zen Mountain Center) in Minnesota, Tassajara Zen Mountain Center in California and Hosshinji Sodo  in Obama, Japan.

In addition to her work in developing Great Tree, Rev. Munnich is Dharma teacher for the Zen Center of Asheville and Charlotte Zen Meditation Society.