IDEA Montopolis 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 Montopolis is located at:
IDEA Montopolis, 1701 Vargas Road, Austin, TX 78741
Erika DeWalt is a proud graduate of Tennessee State University where she majored in History and Texas Southern University where she received my master’s degree in educational administration. My career in education began as a 1st-3rd grade reading teacher and later evolved into an instructional specialist in Houston, TX.
Her journey with Montopolis Academy began in 2016 as an Academic Counselor and that fulfilling experience led to a Principal in Residence role in 2018. In each of my roles at Montopolis Academy, she has sought to ensure the success of students and the school by providing quality instruction, fostering a culture of achievement, building community, celebrating diversity and advocating for supports to ensure learning is equitable for all. Similarly, it is her number one priority as Principal to ensure that every student receives outstanding instruction from top-notch and valued teachers, as well as unique opportunities that empower students to develop character, value community, cultivate passions, and explore the world outside of the classroom.
As the principal at Montopolis Academy, she is committed to ensuring that student needs and interests help drive instructional decisions, and opportunities made available.
Desiree Novodvorschi joins IDEA Austin’s team and family with 15 years of educational experience. She began her career as a Biology teacher in Brownsville, Texas.
Desiree holds and models a strong belief that all students deserve an equal opportunity to a quality education. She is a first-generation college graduate with a Master’s in Education Administration. Desiree has served our IDEA families both in the lower valley, San Antonio and the Austin Region with a passion for academic excellence and commitment to college for all.
Continue ReadingMarie Banzon began serving as Assistant Principal of Operations at IDEA Montopolis in July 2023. Prior to this position, she served as an Assistant Principal of Instruction at IDEA Montopolis College Preparatory beginning in October 2022.
Marie brings with her 17 years of experience in education, including 10 years of experience as an Assistant Principal. She graduated from Baylor University in Waco, Texas in December 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in Education specializing in Secondary Education Social Studies and is certified to teach English Language Arts and Reading, Mathematics, Physics, and Social Studies for Grades 8-12.
Marie strives to ensure that her WHY drives the decision making that impacts the lives of each and every scholar at IDEA Montopolis: "By ensuring a suitable, safe, and nurturing environment in which students are not defined by their past, free to take risks, and encouraged to take ownership of their actions, learning will stimulate students’ inner thirst and desire to embrace a lifelong love of learning while helping them to realize their highest value and potential in all areas of their lives, thereby creating educated and responsible citizens, leaders, and participants for society.”
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, Erich Holmsten – Treasurer, Ryan Vaughan – Secretary, Michael Adams, Gary Lindgren, Theresa Barrera-Shaw, Dr. Nanette Cocero.