For 25 years, IDEA Public Schools has been transforming the educational landscape, equipping scholars with the high-quality education needed to succeed in college and beyond. It’s paved the way for students by helping them unlock their fullest potential.
For some students when they start high school, they haven’t thought much about college. Some feel it may not be in the cards for them. Others may avoid it altogether due to the cost. When Crystal Arreola transferred to IDEA Donna in her sophomore year, she had these very thoughts.
Born and raised in McAllen, Texas, she came from a hardworking family. When she transferred to IDEA Donna, she knew right away there were a lot of adjustments that needed to be made. The curriculum was rigorous and the teachers had high standards.
“Being part of IDEA Donna’s first graduating class was transformative,” Crystal said. “My teachers’ dedication and relentless belief in me made the biggest impact. They held me to high expectations and showed me that discipline and effort open doors.”
After graduating from Texas Lutheran University, she went on to work in the nonprofit sector doing advocacy work for children. After the birth of her first child, she was ready to get back to work again, only this time she decided to go down a different route.
Wanting to give back to the organization that helped shape her, she applied to work part-time for IDEA Walzem in 2014. She was asked if she had ever considered teaching and at the time, she had not. Wanting to take a chance, she became a co-teacher and quickly realized that teaching was more than a job to her– it was her calling. She went on to teach kindergarten and first–grade English Language Arts for four years. After that, she served as Assistant Principal of Instruction. Excelling in this role, Crystal felt like it was time to step out of her comfort zone and take on her next big role.
At IDEA San Antonio’s regional office, she worked as an Early Literacy Coach. There, she was able to get a comprehensive understanding of how curriculum, operations, and leadership shaped student success. Transitioning from the classroom was challenging; however, she thrived in her role.
After a few years outside of the classroom, Crytal began to realize being able to personally connect with students, their families, and teachers is where she felt she was making an impact. The energy of being with students every day was something she missed and ultimately drew her back to campus life.
“When I decided to come back and take on the role as principal, it felt like I was coming home,” she said.
As the organization’s only current alumni principal, there’s honor and responsibility behind that. Crystal believes that she is living proof of IDEA’s mission. The teachers she had during her days at IDEA Donna played an instrumental role in her life, and ultimately, she came back to do the same. “IDEA has given me confidence and resilience, as well as taught me discipline, leadership, and the importance of high expectations”, she adds.
Today, Crystal Arreola is the proud principal of IDEA Walzem Academy. This year, she hopes to continue to foster great relationships with families, grow her teachers through strong coaching, and raise student achievement. Through her role as principal, she hopes she is able to show her scholars that their dreams are possible too.
