Francisco Valdiosera
Innovation School Fellow: 2020-2022
Monarca Academy
Francisco Valdiosera developed a launched Monarca Academy, a middle school anchored in an appreciation and examination of Latino culture, with an intentional focus on cultural competency for students from all backgrounds. The school partners closely with Latino community organizations, including La Plaza, in Indianapolis and is grounded in the concepts of ganas (perseverance), orgullo (pride), and comunidad (community) to drive student success and family engagement.
Francisco Valdiosera is a first-generation college graduate who has first-hand experience navigating opportunity gaps and structural inequities that keep students from achieving college and career success. He began his career as a social science teacher and AVID program director at his alma mater in Redwood City, California. After moving to Indiana, he served at Indianapolis Public School’s George Washington Community High School, first as an ESL teacher, then as assistant principal. Following administrative roles at Providence Cristo Rey High School and Manual High School, Valdiosera became Director for Indianapolis Public Schools’ ESL department, where he planned and managed ESL instructional programs for 30 schools.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Stanford University, a Master’s degree in Education from Stanford University, and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Butler University’s Experiential Program for Preparing School Principals.