Meet the Principal at SBE

Welcome to Stokes-Beard Elementary! My name is Martisa Francois, and I am honored to serve as your principal. I am passionate about creating a school culture where students thrive, teachers feel supported, and families are valued partners in education.

Before beginning my career in education, I proudly served in the United States Army, where I developed a strong foundation in leadership, discipline, teamwork, and service. I am a graduate of Mississippi State University, and I have dedicated my career to helping students and educators achieve success.

Throughout my educational career, I have served as a classroom teacher, academic coach, and assistant principal at both Cook Elementary School and Columbus Middle School. These experiences have shaped my leadership philosophy and strengthened my commitment to instructional excellence, student achievement, and building positive school cultures.

As principal of Stokes-Beard Elementary, my vision is to create an environment where every student is challenged, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential, and where every staff member feels valued and empowered to make a difference. This year, our theme, Growing Greatness, reflects our commitment to continuous improvement, collaboration, and excellence in everything we do.

I look forward to partnering with our students, staff, families, and community as we continue building a school where every child can succeed. Together, we will inspire excellence, foster meaningful relationships, and Grow Greatness every day.

You can reach Ms. Francois via email at FrancoisM@ColumbusCitySchools.org