Dr. Faviola Cantú is the Chief Academic Officer for Aldine Independent School District, one of the largest school systems in the nation, serving over 57,000 students across 81 campuses. With more than two decades of experience in public education, she brings a powerful blend of instructional leadership, operational strategy, and community engagement to her role on the superintendent’s executive cabinet.
Dr. Cantú leads the district’s Teaching and Learning department, overseeing curriculum, assessment, and professional learning, while managing more than $18 million in academic budgets and contributing to the district's budget development. She played a key role in designing and promoting Aldine’s historic $1.8 billion bond package, aimed at facility improvements, increased safety, and expanded student opportunities. Under her leadership, campuses have demonstrated significant gains in STAAR performance, advanced course participation, and special education outcomes.
A recognized turnaround leader, Dr. Cantú previously served as School Assistant Superintendent, where she elevated 13 of 15 campuses to a "B" or higher rating and helped launch district wide initiatives in school redesign, blended learning, and bilingual recruitment. Her earlier roles include principal, assistant principal, bilingual teacher, and director of Multilingual Programs in Sheldon ISD, where she expanded dual language models and improved reading outcomes for emergent bilingual students.
Dr. Cantú holds a doctorate in Professional Leadership from the University of Houston and is an alum of the ALAS Superintendent Leadership Academy and Chiefs for Change Future Chiefs program. She is known for her strategic leadership, data-driven decision-making, and unwavering commitment to expanding opportunity for all students.
