Our Team

Modesto Montero, Founder and Executive Director

Modesto Montero is driven to found and lead a high-performing 6-12 public charter school, Libertas Academy.

Modesto has served in a variety of leadership roles in schools and in the military. He most recently worked with Teach For America as a Manager of Teacher Leadership Development in Memphis, TN, where he managed more than 20 teachers in grades K-12, providing them with feedback and targeted professional development. Modesto first arrived in Memphis in 2011, working as a middle school teacher and department chair for English learners, as a Teach For America Corps member. He was then elected to serve as one of the Tennessee Department of Education’s Common Core coaches for middle school English language arts, guiding teachers throughout the state on the transition to the new standards. Modesto has received additional leadership training and experience through his participation in Leadership Memphis.

Modesto has served in the Army Reserves since 2007, where he received the Army Achievement Medal and graduated from Army Basic Combat Training with honors. Modesto received a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Modesto is a Fellow with Building Excellent Schools (BES). BES trains high-capacity individuals to take on the demanding and urgent work of leading high-achieving, college-preparatory urban charter schools. The BES Fellowship – a rigorous, yearlong, comprehensive training program in urban charter school creation and leadership – has resulted in the establishment of more than 80 schools in 14 states and the District of Columbia. For more information, please visit BES’ website.