IDEA Tres Lagos

These two areas of focus along with her commitment to work smart to model and lead by example will demonstrate to students that anything is possible. IDEA Tres Lagos students will know there is not any limit to what they can accomplish as individuals and as a team!

Born and raised in McAllen, Texas, Benigna loves to serve others and believes in servant leadership since she was child. This is Benigna’s sixteen year in education and she brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to her Tres Lagos Team and Family. Being driven by her parents to put the needs of others before her own, Benigna began working with children for the Tri-County YMCA right after graduation from high school. This job acknowledged Benigna’s love of helping others especially school age children. When she began her post-secondary career at University of Texas Pan American, she knew she wanted to continue to work with students after seeing the impact she had made with after-school programming tailored to her students’ needs. While obtaining two Bachelor of Arts in English & History, Benigna tutored students on campus and was compelled to help her fellow students at a larger scale. She also served in the Student Government Association (SGA) first as Senator and then as President to bring the students’ needs to center stage and make impactful changes at the university level. Benigna’s passion to serve others confirmed that teaching was the best career choice in order to assist students in achieving their goals. She began her teaching career at Mission CISD as ELA teacher while also serving students as the Yearbook Advisor, Jr. Class Co-Sponsor, and Student Council Sponsor. She taught English I-IV, Reading I-II, & Journalism in grades 9-12. Working hard and believing that her students could accomplish anything, her students were able to make tremendous academic gains. Driven to keep learning and moving forward, she then sought a Master’s in Educational Leadership knowing she could best serve students and teachers in an administrative role. Upon finishing graduate school, she transitioned to a leadership opportunity at Hidalgo ISD where she remained for six years in administration serving students and staff from PK-12 grade as the Dean of Instruction and Assistant Principal. After fourteen rewarding years in public schools, she joined IDEA’s Team and Family as a member of the Principal in Residence cohort. Blessed by her previous and current experiences and successes, Benigna is ready to lead Tres Lagos Academy to great achievements!

Benigna currently lives in Mission with her husband, Jose, with two of their four sons, Michael and Maximiliano. Her two adult sons, Brock and Benjamin, both reside in the RGV. She is also a proud glam-ma to her grandson, Anthony! Benigna thanks God for all that she has and is blessed by the goodness and mercy he has demonstrated in her life. Benigna loves to spend her free time cooking big meals for her family & friends and baking sweets to share! When not in the kitchen, she enjoys fishing and boating with her family.

Maria is in her 13th year with IDEA Public Schools. In 2011, Mrs. Vargas was hired as a 2nd grade founding co-teacher and within 2 months transitioned into Founding 2nd grade teacher at Weslaco Academy. She then found her strength as a 3rd grade reading teacher which led her to become a Master Teacher.

In 2017, Maria was promoted to the Weslaco Pike Academy Lead Team as an Assistant Principal of Instruction, where she earned her Senior Designation in 2019 and became a Cadre of Aspiring Principals Leader in 2022. Mrs. Vargas has impacted the high student achievement at Weslaco Pike Academy through her coaching and management of amazing teachers who are recognized for being at the top of the district in local and state assessments.

Maria is looking forward to bringing her knowledge and experience in building foundation in curriculum and instruction to College Prep. Her focus will be building relationships with the community of Tres Lagos CP, continue to focus on academic excellence, and ensuring our mission of getting 100% of scholars to and through college.

Mrs. Vargas is proud to be a first-generation college graduate who is a role model to her three children Gina, Pau, and Kokis. More importantly, she is grateful for the opportunity to be an example for our scholars who share a similar store as hers, si se puede!

After many years of volunteering in public schools, I was determined to begin my teaching career at a place that shared the same mission that I believed in. This is when I decided to join IDEA public schools in 2014. In 2017, I proudly became a founding member of our Lobo pack. Launching a new campus is extremely hard work, but the experience is amazing and like no other. During the first year at Tres Lagos, I was nominated as teacher of the year. After which, I was honored by being selected as regional teacher of the year. I am going into my 10th year of working for IDEA. 5 of which I taught in grades PK-2nd, 2 years I supported our Academy Campus as an Assistant Principal of Instruction, and now I am entering my 3rd year as the APO for the entire TL Campus. These amazing experiences have given me a chance to be a part of every students’ learning and their successful future. I am so proud of everything we have accomplished and the gains we have met these past years. I look forward to watching every student thrive and continue the road to and through college. Go Lobos!