The Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District (HCISD) has once again been awarded the highly competitive 2024-2025 Principal Residency Grant, Cycle 7 Continuation, funded by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). As the only district in the Rio Grande Valley selected and one of just 15 across Texas, HCISD stands out for its commitment to developing future campus leaders. This grant supports the district’s mission to identify, prepare, and elevate future Assistant Principals through a comprehensive, hands-on training model.
Welcoming Our New Residents: A Year of Growth Begins
HCISD proudly welcomes three new aspiring principals into its residency program: Leticia Almaguer, Antonio Coronado, and Alejandra Muñiz. These educators were selected through a rigorous process and will spend the 2025–2026 school year completing a full-time leadership residency while pursuing a Master’s in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of Texas at Austin Texas Principal Leadership Academy (TPLA) program.
- Leticia Almaguer, who previously served as a Library Media Specialist at Harlingen High School South, brings a strong background in instructional support and digital literacy. She will be mentored by Principal Juan Garcia at Dr. Abraham P. Cano Freshman Academy.
- Antonio Coronado, formerly a science teacher and football/track coach at Harlingen High School South, offers valuable instructional and team leadership experience. He will complete his residency at Vernon Middle School World Language Academy under the mentorship of Principal Dr. Arely Tamez.
- Alejandra Muñiz, who previously worked as a counselor at Dr. Abraham P. Cano Freshman Academy, has extensive experience supporting students’ academic and emotional growth. She will complete her residency at Moises V. Vela Middle School, guided by Principal Venessa Acosta.
The grant provides comprehensive support for each resident, funding a paid residency, exam and textbook costs, mentor stipends, and ongoing professional development and coaching. This targeted support is intentionally designed to prepare them for future leadership roles within HCISD.
“This grant represents a vital investment in the future of HCISD leadership,” said Jennifer Maldonado, Director of Professional Learning & Teacher Pipelines. “By partnering with UT Austin, we are committed to developing homegrown Assistant Principals who truly understand our community’s needs. This program will empower our educators with the tools and mentorship necessary to lead with confidence and drive positive outcomes for our students and schools.”
Celebrating Success: Two Former Residents Now Assistant Principals
The Principal Residency Program has already demonstrated its powerful impact. Alma Hernandez and Alexis Martinez, who completed their residencies during the 2024–2025 school year, graduated from the University of Texas at Austin last May with their Master’s in Educational Leadership and Policy. They have now officially transitioned into Assistant Principal roles at the very campuses where they trained.
- Alma Hernandez now serves as Assistant Principal at Harlingen Collegiate High School. With 11 years of experience in education, she previously led the Aspiring Teacher Pathway as a Department Chair and teacher at the same campus.
- Alexis Martinez is now Assistant Principal at Gutierrez Middle School of Arts & Sciences. She has 7 years of experience, having previously served as an instructional coach at both Dishman Elementary and Travis Elementary STEM Academy.
Reflecting on her journey, Ms. Hernandez said, “I’m forever thankful for the TPLA residency program through HCISD and UT Austin. This journey has been nothing short of life changing. It prepared me to lead with equity, strengthened my heart for service, and deepened my commitment to leading with passion and purpose. I’m especially grateful to HCISD leadership and mentors who supported and guided me every step of the way. I feel incredibly blessed to continue this next chapter at Harlingen Collegiate High, alongside a team and student body that inspire me every day!”
Ms. Martinez echoed that sentiment stating, “The UT TPLA residency with Harlingen CISD was truly a transformative experience. It pushed me to grow not just as an instructional leader, but as a person. Through the support of my mentors and the opportunities in Harlingen CISD, I learned how to lead with empathy, clarity, and purpose.”
These success stories show the program’s effectiveness in building a strong leadership pipeline and placing high-quality leaders exactly where they’re needed most.
Homegrown Leadership, Lasting Impact
The Principal Residency Program is a joint initiative between HCISD and the University of Texas at Austin, built on the belief that leadership grows best from within. With the continued support of this TEA-funded grant, HCISD is developing and retaining exceptional educators who will lead the way for future generations of students.
HCISD is leading the Rio Grande Valley in growing educators through an 8-tier Educator Pipeline spanning high school students, paraprofessionals, college students, and aspiring leaders. In partnership with UTRGV, UT Austin, Teach For America, and US PREP, we offer immersive, hands-on experiences with certification pathways that transform how future teachers and principals are prepared, supported, and retained. Click here to learn more
