Dr. Felix Diano Jr., a Filipino-born math teacher now based in Texas, has done more than collect credentials. He’s created a repeatable model for school transformation.
From a classroom in Cebu to leading over 50 research projects and earning editorial roles in global journals, his impact is measurable. He rebuilt his career across two education systems while finishing a PhD and teaching full-time.
If you want to understand real educational leadership, start with his blueprint. It’s not about being the smartest, but improving outcomes by improving others.
Image: LinkedIn
A Journey Built on Purpose
Dr. Diano didn’t stumble into education. He entered with purpose—and stayed with conviction.
He began teaching in 2014 after earning a Bachelor of Secondary Education in Mathematics. Two years later, he completed a Master of Arts in Education, strengthening his content and teaching skills. By 2018, he fulfilled the academic requirements for a PhD in Education focused on research and evaluation.
In 2023, he earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Education, specializing in research, management, and development. Each degree was more than a credential—it was a step toward transforming education. As he puts it, he didn’t just study education—he studied how to lead it.
From the Classroom to Campus Leadership
Dr. Diano’s early years at the University of the Visayas laid the foundation for a dynamic career. He taught math with a real-world focus, but as Research Coordinator for five years, he expanded his impact, leading 50+ faculty projects, launching collaborative systems, and boosting published output by over 30%.
He later served as Principal, Campus Administrator, and OIC Dean. He turned vision into action with data-driven assessments, teacher mentoring, and team-based strategies that improved student outcomes and school culture.
From classroom to campus, Dr. Diano leads where strategy meets empathy.
Smart Use of Technology, Smarter Use of Data
For Dr. Diano, technology is a powerful tool when used right.
He integrates digital platforms like Google Classroom, Desmos, and Padlet not to check a box, but to create engaging, personalized learning experiences. His dynamic spreadsheets and custom analytics help track growth and guide instruction. Beyond the classroom, he’s developed systems that support teacher development through real-time feedback and performance insights.
This practical, forward-thinking approach earned him roles as an editorial board member and peer reviewer for journals such as Cogent Social Sciences and the Journal of Mathematics Teacher Education in Texas. His academic reviews keep research grounded in what truly matters: students and outcomes.
Results That Speak Loudly
Image: Freepik
Dr. Diano’s impact shows in results, not titles. Named Outstanding Educator of the Year in 2024 and twice Teacher of the Month at Manor ISD, he also earned the Torch Icon for Education. His research was recognized with awards from GRASP, the International Society of Researchers, and the University of the Visayas. Each reflects real change—better outcomes, stronger systems, and lasting ideas.
Growth Fueled by Grit
Dr. Diano’s path hasn’t always been smooth. Moving from the Philippine education system to U.S. public schools meant relearning standards, navigating new policies, and reestablishing his career from the ground up—all while pursuing his doctorate.
But he turned those challenges into a strength. What others saw as obstacles, he saw as opportunities for growth. This mindset—adaptable, reflective, and relentlessly forward-looking—has shaped him into the kind of leader who doesn’t just succeed; he lifts others with him.
Today, Dr. Diano teaches high school math at Manor ISD in Texas, but his impact goes beyond equations. He models resilience, digital fluency, and critical thinking skills that his students will carry forward. Now preparing for his Principal Certification, he aims to return to leadership, mentor new educators, and lead lasting, strategic change in U.S. schools.
Education That Transforms Lives
At the heart of everything he does, Dr. Diano believes that education can change lives. He knows this firsthand; he’s lived it.
He brings the same energy through policy work, academic leadership, or one-on-one with a struggling student—a rare blend of high standards, global perspective, and deep humanity.
Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.” Dr. Diano doesn’t just believe that.
About the Author
Liam Reyes is an education writer and former school administrator passionate about leadership, innovation, and policy in public education. With over a decade of classroom and campus-level experience, he now crafts stories that spotlight changemakers shaping the future of learning—one student, one system, one breakthrough at a time.
