La Joya Independent School District

Annette Lozano, a leader and dedicated educator within our district, has been appointed as the new Executive Director of K-12 Humanities. With over two decades of dedicated service in the field of public education, Annette Lozano has made a significant impact on students and educators alike. A Rio Grande Valley native, her journey began at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts, laying the foundation for her career. Driven by a passion for bilingual education, Ms. Lozano pursued a Master’s degree in Bilingual Education from the University of Texas Pan American in Edinburg, Texas. Her commitment to educational excellence led her to further enhance her skills by obtaining her Educational Leadership Certification from Lamar University.

Ms. Lozano’s career spans 21 years with La Joya Independent School District, with a unique blend of experiences in both elementary and secondary education. For the first 10 years, she dedicated herself to enriching young minds with the gift of biliteracy and bilingualism teaching dual language students in Kinder-5th grade. Her innovative teaching methods for students of diverse backgrounds and ability to connect with students helped foster a love for learning in her classrooms.

Transitioning to secondary education, Ms. Lozano spent the next 11 years shaping the lives of older students. Her expertise in schoo leadership  came to the forefront during this period, with 8 of these years spent in instructional leadership roles as Principal at Domingo Trevino Middle School, Assistant Principal at Memorial Middle School and Curriculum Facilitator at Dr. Javier Saenz Middle School. Ms. Lozano’s leadership style is characterized by a commitment to fostering inclusive, dynamic, and high-achieving educational environments for all students. She has been instrumental in closing the academic achievement gap by implementing programs that support academic excellence and the social-emotional development of students with diverse needs.   

Her dedication to professional growth and her unwavering belief in the power of education to transform lives have made her a respected figure in the educational community. As she continues her journey as Executive Director of K-12 Humanities, leading the Reading Language Arts and Social Studies departments, Ms. Lozano remains committed to the district’s vision of educational excellence by positively impacting the next generation of learners and leaders through her core values of equity, excellence, and servant leadership.

Brenda G. García will be serving as the Executive Director of K-12 Mathematics and Science for La Joya ISD. With an impressive 24-year career in education, her philosophy is a testament to her passion for fostering academic excellence and innovation. Her dedication to ensuring every student has access to a high-quality education tailored to their unique learning styles is unwavering. Mrs. García excels in creating dynamic and engaging learning environments that empower students and educators, driving optimal growth and achievement. Her visionary approach is deeply rooted in her firm commitment to transforming educational experiences and uplifting the entire academic community.

Mrs. Garcia's extensive experience and deep ties within La Joya ISD underscore her dedication to academic excellence. She has held numerous impactful roles throughout her distinguished career, showcasing her versatility and dedication to education. She began as a teacher at Weslaco ISD, La Joya ISD, and Northside ISD in San Antonio, where she excelled in crafting lessons that catered to diverse learners. She then served as an Administrative Assistant at San Antonio ISD, supporting campus administrators in all capacities. Upon returning to La Joya ISD, Mrs. García took on the role of elementary assistant principal for eight years, where she also served as the campus testing coordinator and oversaw the special education and language proficiency assessment committee, among other roles. Her expertise in instructional leadership, professional development, lesson design, and parent collaboration was further honed during this time. Mrs. García has been a driving force for over a decade as the Middle School Mathematics Coordinator at La Joya ISD. In this role, she has collaborated with stakeholders to develop and implement high-quality curricula, provided invaluable resources and training to teachers, and led summer school programs, demonstrating her relentless commitment to student success.

Mrs. García holds a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with a minor in Mathematics from the University of Texas-Pan American. She earned a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from the same institution and a Master of Science in Library Science from Sam Houston State University. She is deeply honored to serve La Joya ISD and is enthusiastic about leveraging her extensive experience and skills to advance the district's mission and vision. Mrs. García is passionately committed to leading the math and science departments to unprecedented heights of success and achievement by implementing high-quality instructional materials, always keeping the success and well-being of the students at the forefront of her priorities.

Nidia Ortiz, a leader and dedicated educator within our district, has been appointed as the new Executive Director of School Leadership.

 Mrs. Nidia Ortiz, her husband Raul and their two sons, Raul Jr. and Roman, are proud alumni of La Joya ISD, having graduated as proud Coyotes and their boys as proud Lobos. Mrs. Ortiz obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a Minor in Bilingual Education from University of Texas Pan American. She furthered her education earning a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from UTPA.  With over 25 years of experience in education, Mrs. Ortiz began her career as a paraprofessional, then became a school teacher within our district, where she was celebrated as Teacher of the Year for her innovative teaching methods and ability to engage students. Her leadership potential was quickly recognized, leading to her promotion to Assistant Principal and subsequently to Principal of Juan De Dios Salinas Middle School.

 During her seven-year tenure as the proud Principal of JD Salinas, Mrs. Ortiz implemented numerous initiatives that significantly improved student outcomes, including the campus being AdvancED accredited, being designated as a Model Technology Campus, earning distinctions for Math, Science, Social Studies, Student Progress, Closing Performance Gaps, Comparative Academic Growth and Post-Secondary Readiness.  Under her leadership, JD Salinas Middle School made academic history by earning an “A” rating and being recognized as a top-performing school in the district.

As the new Executive Director of School Leadership, Mrs. Ortiz will oversee the development and support of school leaders across the district. Her extensive experience and deep understanding of our community will be invaluable as she works to foster a culture of excellence and innovation in our schools.

Mrs. Ortiz is known for her collaborative approach, working closely with teachers, parents, and community stakeholders to create inclusive and supportive educational environments. Her commitment to equity and inclusion ensures that every student has access to high-quality education and the opportunity to succeed.

In her new role, Mrs. Ortiz will focus on enhancing leadership development programs, driving instructional improvements, and supporting principals and school leaders in achieving their goals. Her vision and dedication will undoubtedly lead to continued success for our district.

We look forward to her continued contributions to our district and the positive impact she will have on our schools and community.

Orlando Reyna is a veteran educator who began his career as a high school physics and chemistry teacher early in his career before becoming an instructional coordinator, assistant principal and Principal in Houston, TX. Mr. Reyna previously served as principal of Middle Schools and High Schools, where he led turnaround efforts in moving the schools from Improvement Required to a Met Standard rating over a span of 12 years. Currently, he is in his fourth year as the Principal of Stephen F. Austin High School, where he's been able to raise the school letter grade to a B rating. Under his leadership, Austin High School has increased the CCMR rate from 56% to 88% as well as raising the graduation rate from 81% to 93% in 3 years. Mr. Reyna earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and a Master of Education in Administration and Supervision from Prairie View A&M University.

Jodie Crystal Adair is a dedicated and passionate educator with a wealth of experience spanning 21 years in the field of education. Throughout her career, she has held various positions within education such as math and literacy teacher, instructional specialist, and both assistant principal and principal. Ms. Adair is also equipped with Texas teacher and principal certificates, demonstrating her commitment to professional growth and development. She has a firm commitment to academic excellence and fostering strong relationships within the school and community. Her belief in transformational leadership has allowed her to develop and work alongside teams that shift campuses from low to high- performing status by improving student growth and achievement outcomes, emphasizing instructional best practices through the use of quality curriculum and data-driven decisions, and eective Tier 1 instruction.

Ms. Adair attended Abilene Christian University where she received her Bachelor’s of Science, and the University of Texas at Arlington where she received her Master’s of Education in Leadership and Policy Studies. She is currently pursuing her Doctoral degree at Abilene Christian University in Organizational Leadership with an emphasis on education. To further demonstrate her commitment to learning, Ms. Adair recently completed PIC (Principal Impact Collaborative) a 2-year fellowship for selected principals throughout North Texas designed to develop leadership capacity. Outside of her professional responsibilities, Ms. Adair finds joy in spending time with her family, especially her teenage daughter, volunteering as a volleyball coach, and indulging in her passion for crafting. Ms. Adair’s dedication to both education and community service exemplifies her commitment to empowering and positively impacting the lives of those around her. She is both honored and excited to join the La Joya ISD team and community.

Veronica Chavez will be the new Executive Director of Academic Enrichment. A graduate, parent, and long-time resident of our community, she has devoted her career to serving the students and teachers of La Joya ISD, nurturing their growth and success in their academic journeys.

With a successful career spanning over 24 years within the district, Mrs. Chavez began as a Supervisor’s Clerk and has since built a career grounded in a deep commitment to educational excellence at La Joya ISD. She has served as a middle and high school Language Arts Teacher, a School Improvement Strategist, and a Language Arts Coordinator, where she headed district-wide initiatives that provided teachers with instructional support and earned her distinctions for empowering educators. As the College Readiness Director and Executive Director for College, Career, and Military Readiness, she gained recognition for her transformative practices, ensuring our student preparedness for success beyond high school.

In her new position, Mrs. Chavez will oversee essential departments that contribute to the well-rounded education of our students, including Fine Arts, UIL, Gifted and Talented, Physical Education and Health, and Career and Technical Education. Her passion for education and personal connection to the La Joya ISD community demonstrates her deep commitment to the district’s tradition of excellence. She will continue collaborating with our staff, students, and families to create innovative, inclusive, and enriching experiences that will shape the future of La Joya ISD students.

Myra Ramos brings 28 years of dedicated service to education, embodying a profound commitment to fostering excellence in teaching and learning. With a career spanning various pivotal roles, Myra has accumulated a wealth of experience and expertise. She served as a Principal for 18 years, during which she honed her leadership skills and spearheaded initiatives to enhance student achievement. Prior to her principalship, she excelled as an Assistant Principal for 5 years, applying her instructional expertise to support school-wide improvement efforts.

Myra's journey in education includes a year as a Reading Technical Assistant for the Texas Education Agency (TEA), where she contributed to state-level strategies to advance literacy education through the Texas Reading First Initiative. Her foundational years were spent as an elementary teacher, cultivating a deep understanding of early childhood development and effective teaching practices.

As the Executive Director of Early Learning, Myra Ramos champions her passion for teaching and learning by ensuring that every early childhood classroom receives the very best instruction. Her leadership is marked by a relentless pursuit of educational equity and excellence, empowering educators and administrators alike to create nurturing and effective learning environments.

Melinda Flores has dedicated 28 years to the field of education at La Joya Independent School District, her hometown. Beginning her journey as a passionate social studies teacher at La Joya High School, she inspired countless students with her energetic teaching style and commitment to nurturing critical thinking in her students.

After her memorable years in the classroom, Ms. Flores transitioned into administration, serving as an assistant principal for 7 years. Her leadership and dedication to student success propelled her to the role of principal for the next 3 years, where she implemented innovative programs aimed at enhancing student engagement and achievement.

Recognized for her passion in social studies education, Ms. Flores assumed the role of Social Studies Coordinator, where she headed district-wide initiatives to improve curriculum standards and instructional practices. Her term as a Curriculum and Instructional Executive Director has been marked by her unwavering dedication to educational excellence and her ability to empower administrators to implement effective instructional strategies.

Ms. Flores's career reflects her devoted dedication to education and her commitment to shaping the minds of future generations. Her contributions have not only influenced the students she has directly taught and mentored but have also left a lasting imprint on the educational community she has served for nearly three decades.

Irma Zuniga will be serving as the Executive Director of Bilingual, Migrant and Language Other than English Education for La Joya ISD. With over three decades of distinguished service in the field of Bilingual/ESL Education, Irma Zuniga is a highly respected Educator renowned for her expertise, leadership, and commitment to excellence. She has seamlessly navigated diverse linguistic and cultural landscapes, driving significant advancements and fostering inclusive environments.

Mrs. Irma Zuniga has served in a range of leadership roles in the La Joya Independent School District over the last 31 years. In addition to her 10 years in the classroom, she served as a Bilingual-ESL Strategist for 5 years and Bilingual/ESL Director for 16 years.

She received the Texas Association for Bilingual Education (TABE) Educator Award in 2019 for her dedication and commitment to enhancing educational opportunities for bilingual students and fostering a supportive learning environment that celebrates linguistic diversity in Texas.

A dedicated mentor and leader, Irma Zuniga has been instrumental in nurturing talent and fostering a collaborative work culture. Her commitment to professional development has empowered countless individuals to achieve their potential and contribute meaningfully to the instruction of emergent bilingual students in PK-12.

Zuniga received her Bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies with a minor in Bilingual and a Master’s degree in Bilingual Education from the University of Texas Pan American.

With a rich career spanning 31 years, Irma Zuniga embodies the qualities of a transformative leader. Her bilingual capabilities, strategic acumen, and unwavering dedication have made a lasting impact on the organizations she has served and the communities she has engaged with. Irma Zuniga continues to inspire and lead, driving innovation and excellence in Bilingual/ESL Education.