Meet the Principal

Joseph Francis

Joseph Francis is a first-generation college graduate who earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and Spanish from Bucknell University. As a Teach For America alumnus, he began his career in education serving students and families in South Oak Cliff. His early commitment to student success and leadership potential led him to transition from the classroom into campus leadership roles.

Mr. Francis spent the first five years of his teaching career at Clara Oliver Elementary, where he taught 2nd through 4th grades while taking on leadership roles as Chess Coach, VEX IQ Robotics Coach, and PBIS Coordinator. During his tenure, he implemented proactive behavior supports that resulted in a 40 percent reduction in disciplinary referrals. In 2018, he joined Solar Preparatory for Boys as a 2nd-grade lead teacher and member of the Campus Instructional Leadership Team. There, he continued as Chess Coach and helped guide data-driven practices that resulted in more than 90 percent of his scholars meeting their growth targets in reading and math.

In 2021, Mr. Francis was selected for the Teaching Trust Program at Southern Methodist University, where he completed his Master of Education in Urban Educational Leadership. He then became Assistant Principal at Annie Webb Blanton Elementary and was the Instructional Leader for grades 2-5 math and science. During this time, Blanton maintained a B rating and has seen steady year-over-year improvements in reading and math performance for over 650 scholars. He has also coordinated strategic initiatives in instruction, behavior, and assessment, serving as Behavior Coordinator and Testing Coordinator, while coaching and mentoring teachers through Professional Learning Communities and data meetings.

Mr. Francis believes in nurturing scholars holistically, fostering both academic growth and character development. He is committed to partnering with teachers, families, community members, and students to create an inclusive culture where every child has the resources and support they need to excel. He looks forward to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure that ALL scholars, regardless of background, have equitable opportunities to achieve their fullest potential.