Erik M. Francis, M.Ed., M.S., is an international author, educator presenter, and professional development provider with over 25 years of experience in education. He is the owner of Maverik Education, providing professional development, guidance, and support on how to plan and provide teaching and learning experiences that are standards-based, socially and emotionally supportive, and student-responsive. Erik is also consistently ranked as one of the World’s Top 30 Education Professionals by the international research organization Global Gurus and the Top 25 Thought Leaders.

Your WHY 

My purpose is to ensure teaching and learning are standards-based, socially and emotionally supportive, and student-responsive so that the experience is academic and effective for all.

Your Family and What You Love

I live in Scottsdale, Arizona, with my family. I enjoy football (Go Arizona Cardinals!), basketball (Go Phoenix Suns!), working out, Peloton (#Maverik70), playing guitar, classic rock music (I’m a huge Van Halen and Led Zeppelin fan!), and watching films (The Godfather saga, Jaws, the Star Wars saga, the Rocky films (including the Creed movies), and Marvel’s Infinity War saga are my favorites).

Your Background

I received my Master’s in Education Leadership from Northern Arizona University and my Master’s in Science in Television/Radio/and Film Production and Management from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. I also hold a Bachelor of Arts in Rhetoric and Communication and English from the University at Albany. I have over 25 years of experience working in education as a classroom teacher, a site administrator, an education program specialist with a state education agency, and a trainer who produces and provides professional development for teachers and school leaders.

Maverik Education

Maverik Education provides professional development, guidance, and support on how to develop and deliver teaching and learning experiences that are standards-based, socially and emotionally supportive, and student-responsive. Learning opportunities that:



provide continuous onsite and virtual professional development, guidance, and support for schools and their staff.

specialize in professional development on Depth of Knowledge (DOK) and how to use the DOK Levels accurately

offer professional development on how to develop and deliver inquiry-based learning experiences driven by good questions.



Your Books 

I am the author of Inquiring Minds Want to Learn: Posing Good Questions to Promote Student Inquiry (Launched April 2024) and Deconstructing Depth of Knowledge: A Method and Model for Deeper Teaching and Learning published by Solution Tree and Now THAT’S a Good Question! How to Promote Cognitive Rigor Through Classroom Questioning published by ASCD.





Erik’s Contact Information