Francisco Escobedo

From traditional public to charter schools, Francisco Escobedo consults with various school systems across the nation on matters involving bonds, district marketing, and infrastructure and facility repairs. Having gained experience working with award-winning education systems, he is highly skilled at  collaborating with school and district leadership to enhance educational processes and structures.

Francisco advises clients on political matters, drawing from his time on the California State Board of Education. He understands leadership and systemic approaches to improving educational systems, having had the privilege of observing systems of excellence and enhancing achievement where it has traditionally been hindered. Francisco also facilitates board retreats to ensure members are positioned for optimal leadership.

In addition to counseling clients, Francisco is the Executive Director of the National Center for Urban School Transformation (NCUST) and an Adjunct Professor at San Diego State University. He’s passionate about young leaders, often mentoring aspiring superintendents and assisting schools with superintendent searches.

A lover of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Francisco initially aspired to be a detective. He graduated from Yale with a biology degree and ended up on police patrol duty when a comment from his partner changed the course of his life: “If you really want to make a difference, you should become a teacher.” He did just that for over 30 years, becoming a superintendent for over a decade. Francisco has found that the skills he gained as a police officer still come in handy—staying cool under pressure, deescalating tense situations, and learning how to have a commanding presence.