Passionate. Innovative. Dedicated.
At IDEA, we invest in people who bring 100% every day and are motivated to inspire others to believe in themselves and do their best work. We currently have leadership teams overseeing our district-wide, regional, and board operations.
Co-Founder
Chief Executive Officer and Superintendent
JoAnn Gama was born and raised in the north side of Houston. After graduating from Sam Houston High School in 1993, JoAnn attended Boston University on a full scholarship.
Chief College and Diversity Officer
Phillip is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin where he studied music and art history. The first in his family to graduate from college, Phillip knows the value proposition of an undergraduate degree.
Chief Advancement Officer
Sam is a graduate of the University of Richmond, the Harvard Graduate School of Education (M.A.), and the University of Texas at Austin (Ph.D.). He joined IDEA’s founding teaching team at IDEA Quest College Prep where he taught 6th grade.
Chief Program Officer
Dolores is a Texas native, and was raised throughout the state of Texas until she and her family ultimately settled in Kingsville.
Chief Operating Officer
Irma Muñoz was born and raised in Guadalajara, Mexico. She graduated from the University of California at Davis, and from Harvard University’s School of Government.
Chief Human Assets Officer
Martin serves as the Chief Human Assets Officer
at IDEA Public Schools, leading the
organization’s strategic efforts in recruitment,
staffing, professional development, talent management, compensation and benefits,
and retention.
Chief Schools Officer
As Chief Schools Officer, Lisa leads IDEA Public Schools’ vision and strategy to ensure all students graduate college ready and our schools earn an “A” Rating. The Chief Schools Officer manages Executive Directors and Regional Superintendents and is responsible for setting and embodying IDEA culture in our schools.
Acting Co-Chief Financial Officer
Acting Co-Chief Financial Officer
Founder and CEO Emeritus
Upon graduating from Georgetown University with a degree in economics in 1997, Tom joined Teach For America and taught fourth grade in Donna, Texas for three years, after which he successfully launched the IDEA Academy in 2000, serving as the first board president and founding principal.
2115 W. PIKE BLVD
WESLACO, TX 78596
956-377-8000
FAX: 956-447-3796
2800 South IH 35, Suite 265
Austin, Texas 78704
512-822-4959
813 N. Kansas St.
Suite 100
El Paso, TX 79902
915-888-4600
7035 San Pedro Ave.
San Antonio, Texas 78216
210-239-4959
804 Main Street
Suite D
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
225-571-5910
5001 N. Nebraska Ave, Ste A
Tampa, FL 33603
(813) 467-3004
As required by Title IX, IDEA Public Schools does not (and is required not to) discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs or activities. This non-discrimination requirement applies to admission to and employment with IDEA Public Schools. Inquiries into issues related to Title IX may be referred to IDEA’s Title IX Coordinator(s) (identified below), to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the Department of Education, or both. IDEA’s Title IX Coordinator is: Martin Winchester, Chief Human Assets Officer, 2115 W. Pike Blvd., Weslaco, Texas 78596, (956) 377-8000, martin.winchester@ideapublicschools.org.
IDEA Public Schools National Board Members: Al Lopez – Chair, Collin Sewell – Vice Chair, Ed Rivera – Treasurer, Ryan Vaughan – Secretary, Michael Burke, Reba Cardenas McNair, David Earl, David Handley, Erich Holmsten, Saam Zarrabi, Xenia Garza.
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