IDEA Quest

Mary Bell Garza-Arrezola joined IDEA Public schools in 2008. She was drawn to IDEA Public School Vision and Mission, with the focus of college for all. Mary was born and raised in Pharr, Texas. Being raised with 8 other siblings, she witnesses how hard it was on her mother when the need came to assist her brothers and sisters with homework. With no knowledge of English, they were on their own. Mary wanted to help her family by getting ahead, even though her parents could not afford anyone’s college tuition. As a leader, she is relentless about developing and maintaining positive culture, culture first and culture always. A culture that fosters hard work, resiliency and at the same time build strong foundational skills focused on the development of students social and emotional needs. She strongly believes that if educators instill GRIT in their staff and student body, it will create the golden pathway to college and beyond.