Starting a new chapter as principal
October is National Principals Month, and The Beat is sharing profiles of some of Dallas ISD’s outstanding principals to recognize the work they do in leading their schools and students to success.
In his 13th year with Dallas ISD, Joseph Francis’ passion for education has not dwindled. Now, as principal of Anson Jones Elementary School, he has stepped confidently into the new role of guiding the campus with a focus on safety, community, and academic success.
“I love my students at Anson Jones,” Francis said. “They are such good humans and are already genuinely good people.”
He takes a holistic approach to learning, focusing on students’ academic, social, and emotional wellbeing while building their character, so they are prepared for the world beyond the classroom. He hopes to see students grow not just in academics, but in empathy and curiosity as well.
“I hope that they understand the importance of being curious about other people,” he said. “People that may come from a different region or even eat different types of cuisines.”
Francis began his journey as an educator through the Teach for America program where he supported students in South Oak Cliff for five years, before joining Dallas ISD as a teacher at Clara Oliver Elementary School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history and Spanish from Bucknell University and later completed a Master of Education in Urban Educational Leadership at Southern Methodist University.
During his graduate studies, Francis was selected for the Teaching Trust Program, which prepared future school leaders to make a meaningful, lasting impact in urban education.
He went on to serve as assistant principal at Annie Webb Blanton Elementary, where he played a key role in helping the school earn a B rating from the Texas Education Agency.
From the beginning of his career, Francis has demonstrated strong leadership qualities that have led him to new opportunities, including his current role as principal.
“It is such a blessing to have an impact,” he said. “And to be able to help and mentor teachers. That is the reason why I do this work.”
During his first year, Francis is building on the school’s existing strengths, such as fostering strong teacher-student relationships, increasing community and parent involvement, and maintaining a safe, welcoming environment. Since August, he said he has already noticed a rise in parent engagement, crediting the PTO president and the school’s parent liaison for their commitment to the school’s culture.
Francis prioritizes meaningful interactions with students and strong connections with families. He also supports teachers by visiting classrooms and sharing in celebrating student growth.
“Our teachers here are very flexible and eager to help one another,” Francis said. “From the custodial staff to the cafeteria staff to the teacher, you can tell that everyone is in this work for the right reasons. It makes a difference when you’re on campus.”
Jones Elementary School has a culture of ensuring each teacher feels supported. With the help of veteran teachers, Francis is developing new teachers’ capacity for their workload and leadership through the school’s Teacher Mentor Program.
“The students want to talk to us and show us what they’re learning. Those things keep me motivated,” he said. “It’s rewarding to see a kid begin to sound out letters and blend words, or to see a student that was struggling with math and division, mastering new strategies in the classroom.”
Francis said he feels valued, knowing that his students and teachers care about him, one another and their school. This is a testament to the tight-knit community that surrounds the school, one that spans generations. On a personal level, he finds motivation to continue his work in education through his supportive family, and the new school community he has built at Jones Elementary School.
“I learned quickly that there are a lot of teachers here at Anson that have been here for a long time, longer than I’ve been in education.” Francis said. “There are a handful of teachers that went to Anson Jones when they were kids, and they’re teaching here now. To me, that just speaks to the type of people that are here. Many of our students’ siblings, and even their parents, went to Anson Jones. That is what makes us special.”
