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.