Written by: Alma Rock
The Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District (HCISD) has been awarded the highly competitive 2024-2025 Principal Residency Grant, Cycle 7, funded by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). HCISD is the only district in the Rio Grande Valley to receive this grant, with only 15 grants awarded across the entire state.
The grant will support a one-year residency program for two aspiring principals: Alma Hernandez and Alexis Martinez. Hernandez, who has 11 years of experience in education and most recently served as Department Chair and teacher for the Aspiring Teacher Pathway, will complete her residency at Harlingen Collegiate High under the mentorship of Principal Dr. Pamela Flores. Martinez, who has 7 years of experience and recently worked as an instructional coach for Dishman Elementary and Travis Elementary STEM Academy, will be mentored by Principal Mike Reyes at Gutierrez Middle School of Arts & Sciences.
The Principal Residency Program is a partnership between HCISD and the University of Texas at Austin. As part of the program, Hernandez and Martinez will attend the University of Texas at Austin to pursue their Master’s in Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership and Policy. While undertaking this rigorous academic coursework, they will also be completing a full-time residency at their respective campuses. This dual commitment ensures they gain both the theoretical knowledge and practical experience necessary to excel in school leadership roles.
The selection process for the residency was exceptionally rigorous, requiring candidates to take the GRE, be accepted to UT Austin, be approved by HCISD leadership, and undergo a comprehensive assessment center session. This session included a panel interview, data prompt presentation, and an observation/role-play exercise conducted by UT Austin staff and educational professionals from across Texas. Additionally, candidates needed to be nominated and receive a principal recommendation.
The grant provides comprehensive support for the residents, including professional development opportunities focused on becoming future school leaders, principal certification exam costs, cost of textbooks, a mentor stipend, and funding the residents’ salaries. Additionally, the residents will receive coaching sessions and professional development tailored to the instructional leadership practices and student needs at their respective campuses.
“This grant gives us an incredible opportunity to grow our own educators and prepare them to become future leaders within HCISD,” said Jennifer Maldonado, Director of Professional Learning & Teacher Pipelines. “We are excited to collaborate with UT Austin on this initiative, which will benefit our district by equipping our aspiring principals with the necessary skills and support to succeed, ultimately enhancing the educational experience for our students and schools.”
Ericka Villarreal, Director of Talent Acquisition, emphasized the significance of the program, saying, “This program is an incredible opportunity for us to prepare and grow our own talent, ensuring they become the leaders we need. It’s an investment in our district’s future because at HCISD, we believe that being the best means training the best. We’re committed to providing our educators with the tools and support they need to excel and lead our schools to new heights.”
The grant application was a collaborative effort by Jennifer Maldonado, Director of Professional Learning & Teacher Pipelines; Ericka Villarreal, Director of Talent Acquisition; Ida Ambriz, Director of Accounting; and Alma Rock, Grant Writer.
The purpose of the program is to develop and support model Pre-K–12 educators who aspire to become principals. It will equip residents with the knowledge, skills, and qualities necessary to excel in school leadership roles. The grant will enable HCISD to continue building its Educator Pipeline model, which aims to develop current teachers into future campus leaders, ensuring a steady stream of highly qualified candidates for assistant principal and principal positions in the near future.
