IDEA Palmview

Mrs. Ornelas began his career in education in 2009 as a pre-kindergarten teacher at Mission CISD. She joined IDEA Public Schools in 2011 as a substitute teacher and soon after became a kindergarten teacher at IDEA Edinburg Academy. During her time there, she served as a grade team leader and was recognized as Teacher of the Year in 2012-2013. She later became a founding Assistant Principal of Instruction at IDEA North Mission Academy where she earned a certification as a Trainer of Trainers for the National Institute for Direct Instruction and was honored with the Siegfried Engelmann Excellence in Education Award in 2017.

In 2018, Mrs. Ornelas was selected as an Assistant Principal at IDEA North Mission Academy where her leadership helped the campus achieve significant gains in reading including over 30% percentage points of growth in overall passing rates and a 30% mastery rate in 3rd grade reading. She went on to serve as a principal in residence at IDEA North Mission and IDEA McAllen, where she refined her leadership by building systems fir academic achievement, collaboration, and staff development.

Since becoming principal at IDEA Palmview in 2023, she has committed to working hand-in-hand with staff, families, and the community to raise student achievement and endure every child has access to a world-class education. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her children, traveling, and supporting her school community with pride.

Prior to her current role, Mrs. Medina was a kinder-3rd grade, 9-12th grade teacher, and Reading Specialist in Laredo, TX. Moving to IDEA Public Schools, she served at IDEA San Juan College Prep as a English II teacher, speech teacher, interventionist, instructional coach, and drill team coach. In 2016, she became a campus administrator at IDEA Mission College Prep where she helped cultivate a culture of achievement, coached and managed teachers and leaders to earn an “A” rating. 

Mrs. Medina is a first-generation college graduate earning her B.A. at the University of North Texas in Early Education, a B.A. at the University of Texas Pan American in Interdisciplinary Studies with a minor in Reading Specialized Instruction, and her M.Ed. in Educational Administration and Policy Study at the University of Texas at Arlington.

In her spare time, she likes to spend time with her 2 children and husband of 16 years, travel, experience different foods and cultures. As a first-generation college graduate, she believes all students should have the opportunity to go to college and will continue IDEA’s tradition of college for all students, so they not only see success, but are THE ONES to bring success to their communities.