IDEA Bluff Springs

This marks her 6th year with IDEA Public Schools. She began my journey at IDEA McAllen Academy as a 5th Grade Science teacher and course leader. After 3 years in the classroom, she transitioned into the ELA and Science Assistant Principal of Instruction role for 1st -5th grade. In 2019, she was given the opportunity to learn from other Principals through the Principal in Residence program here in Austin. She was placed at Montopolis Academy during the 2020-2021 school year. This school year, she has been pleased to serve at IDEA Bluff Springs Academy as the Principal in Residence, supporting our students, teachers, and leaders with achieving goals. Her mission is to continue working alongside our team to deliver on our promise to prepare our children for college and beyond.

Before her work with IDEA, Gisela served in various capacities at Brownsville Independent School District. Her career began in 1999 as a first-grade teacher, and she was in that position for four years. Then became a 2nd-grade teacher for six years, and last, she served as a 3rd-grade teacher for eight years at Benavides Elementary. In 2017, she completed her master’s degree and became the Dean of Instruction at Perkins Middle School. Gisela was responsible for the instructional coaching of a cohort of 61 teachers. Her coaching strategies helped her teachers improve an entire letter grade in an academic school year. Additional duties in this position included the TSI Coordinator, SSI coordinator, RTI coordinator, Assessment Coordinator, and Event Coordinator. Prior to serving as a Dean of Instruction, Gisela worked as a Science and ELA curriculum writer, LPAC Chair, and Bilingual Lead Teacher and was named the BISD teacher of the year in 2013. Ms. Guerra was an instructional coach and leader for the ELA department, the Special Education department, the Direct Instruction department, and the Middle School Director. After serving 20 years with BISD, Gisela transitioned to an Assistant Principal position with IDEA Riverview College Prep in 2019. Since joining the school leadership team, Gisela’s campus has attained an “A” Rating from TEA for two consecutive years. Also, IDEA Riverview College Prep was named the best Middle School in the Rio Grande Valley. Gisela holds a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Walden University and her Principal Certification from the SBEC. Gisela specializes in English Learner Instructional Support, ELA Curriculum and Instruction, and School Climate and Culture.