RioGAFA Charter School Founders

---

Jordan Franco is a native New Mexican and son to an immigrant father from Juarez, Mexico, and a mother that grew up in Old Town. Early in life, Jordan's family taught him that education was the key to success. He attended public schools for the majority of his school career but was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to attend Saint Pius X High School. Although appreciative of the chance to receive such a high-quality education, Jordan felt that the sacrifices that his parents had to make to send him to a place where they felt would give him the education he deserved were not fair. After finding the art of dance during his Sophomore year and taking a coaching position as a dance teacher for a local Albuquerque public school, he decided that he wanted to eventually open a school that provided students with access to high-quality academics and even more refined arts programs free of charge. Jordan has been a teacher, a Dean of Students, an Assistant Principal, a Vice President of Operations, and a Field Director for Public Charter Schools of New Mexico. He is an advocate for charter schools and is ready to provide Albuquerque's Westside students with access to a strong academics and arts program at the Rio Grande Academy of Fine Arts. 

Michele Platis grew up in Central New York. She has always loved the arts and found her creative outlet in drawing. Michele moved to Albuquerque in 1993 after graduating with a BFA in photography and painting from Alfred University (1993). In 2003, searching for a better option for her oldest son and not being able to afford private school, Michele discovered charter schools. She likes to say that she and her children have always been that "square peg, round hole," and have always needed an alternative way to learn. All three of Michele's children were raised in Albuquerque and attended local charter schools. She is an advocate and a true believer in schools of choice. Michele has taught Kindergarten, 5th grade, 6th-grade Humanities, and K-8 visual arts. She was also the Fine Arts Director while teaching visual arts and was an Assistant Principal. Michele has served on the New Mexico Art Education Association Executive Board since 2016, providing professional development and advocating for arts education in the state and nation. Michele is an advocate for both charter schools and arts education. Her deep belief that all students deserve a strong academic foundation and access to an arts education formed her dream for an arts-integrated charter school. Michele is ready and excited to provide both to Rio Grande Academy of Fine Arts students.

 Michelle Sanchez-St.Andre is a Visual Arts Manager for Albuquerque Public Schools. She holds an administrative license along with a Level III Visual Arts Secondary Education license. She was a facilitator at NexGen Academy with APS and an art teacher at V. Sue Cleveland High School in Rio Rancho. She received her BFA in Graphic Design from New Mexico State University and a Masters of Education through the University of Phoenix in California. Prior to becoming a Visual Arts teacher, she was a professional Graphic Designer in New Mexico and in California. She has been a member of the NMAEA since 2009 and on the board since 2014. Michelle enjoys participating in the association because of the support that comes with being a member and her love of teaching. She enjoys teaching other teachers and can be seen at every conference teaching a workshop or two. Now as a seasoned teacher, Michelle continues her journey as a lifelong learner through professional development and continuing her own education with college art classes and exploring her wanderlust by traveling abroad.