IDEA Donna sets high expectations for every student and goes the extra mile to make sure every student realizes their own potential. Personalized learning, critical thinking skills, mastery of core subjects is our recipe for success.
IDEA Donna is located at:
IDEA Donna, 401 S. 1st St., Donna, Texas 78537
Marycarmen Quintanilla was born and raised in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon. She attended the University of Texas of the Rio Grande Valley and received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance.
In 2009, Marycarmen decided to pursue a career in education and received a bilingual Teaching certification while working for a private school district.
In 2009 Marycarmen joined McAllen Independent School District as a 1st and 2nd grade teacher, leading the dual language program for the district. In 2015 she enrolled in the graduate program in Educational Leadership at the University of Texas Pan-American receiving a master’s degree.
In 2017, she joined IDEA Public Schools and started as a 3rd Grade math teacher and grade team leader. Two years later, she had the opportunity to become the Math Interventionist for 3rd, 4th and 5th grade, and was able to achieve 100% student growth.
As an Assistant Principal for the past 4 years Marycarmen has proactively promoted the alignment of Reading and Writing from Kinder to 5th grade, which has directly contributed to the significant increase of students achieving academic success. During her leadership role she has demonstrated strong communication and personal relationship skills that have built a strong community of teachers, parents, and scholars.
Marycarmen plans to work in collaboration with students, parents, and staff to promote academic success through establishing a campus of high expectations that enables our scholars to achieve college readiness.
Amanda Canales, an RGV native, began her journey as an educator when she became a part-time tour guide at the International Museum of Art and Science (IMAS) in 2008. During her time as a tour guide, she was able to explore her abilities and interests in teaching and realized this was her niche.
In 2009, she became the Arts Curriculum Coordinator and by 2010, she became the Education and Public Programs Coordinator.
Through her role as a museum educator, she was able to interact with students of all ages during school tours and summer programs, write TEKS aligned curriculum, and host professional development sessions for teachers. Furthermore, she was able to build partnerships with the surrounding school districts and community members. Her time here also provided her with several leadership opportunities but more importantly solidified her destiny in education. She knew that becoming a lifelong educator was what she wanted for herself.
She began her journey with IDEA Public Schools in 2011 when she was first hired as the 6th grade World Cultures Teacher. She soon transitioned into High School as the 11th Grade IB DP History of the Americas Teacher and Grade Team Leader. In 2014, she launched her journey as a campus leader as the Assistant Principal of Instruction for the High School and worked as the Assistant Principal of the IB Programme the following year. In 2016, she accepted the role of principal at the Flagship and has continued in that role ever since.
Through her varying roles at ICP Donna, she has been able to develop a strong sense of
what our campus needs and is able to coach campus leaders and teachers based off of
those experiences.
Alberto Castillo was born and raised in Rio Bravo Tamaulipas, Mexico. He immigrated to the United States in 1993. He attended the University of Texas Pan American and received a bachelor’s degree in International Business in 2007.
His academic emphasis was in Business Management. Before coming to IDEA, Alberto worked for Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley, Inc .in Harlingen, Texas as administrative assistant from 2000-2004. Prior to that, he worked for South Texas Community College in the Business Math and Science Department supporting the Business Program Chair.
Alberto is currently a Senior, Assistant Principal of Operations at IDEA Donna. Alberto began working at IDEA in 2004 as part of the administrative team. He started working in the role of Assistant Principal of Operations at IDEA Donna after graduating in 2007. Alberto has also worked as an Assistant Principal of Operations at IDEA Pharr and worked as Regional Director of Operations at the Head Quarters Office.
Alberto is a strong believer in the power of education as transformation tool that changed his life and the lives of others in his family. Alberto has a passion in educating and informing the community about what IDEA can offer not only to children, but their families. He also believes that college is for all regardless of their background and their socioeconomic status.
2115 W. Pike Blvd.
Weslaco, TX 78596
Main: (956) 377-8000
Fax: (956) 447-3796
IDEA Public Schools National Board Members: Collin Sewell – Chair, Ed Rivera – Vice-Chair & Secretary, Erich Holmsten – Treasurer, Gary Lindgren, Theresa Barrera-Shaw, Dr. Nanette Cocero, Connie Miner.