The Harlingen CISD Board of Trustees approved two new principals at the July 8 board meeting.
Yvonne Cavazos Gonzalez was selected as principal for Early Childhood Academy, and Venessa Acosta was selected as principal for Vela Middle School.
Yvonne Cavazos Gonzalez has 25 years of experience in education. Her career has spanned every level of the educational journey, having served as an instructional assistant, teacher, assistant principal, and, most recently, the principal of an elementary campus. During her tenure as principal, she led the transformation of the campus, achieving remarkable academic growth and success for all students.
While she has worked with students across all grade levels, Ms. Cavazos Gonzalez’s heart has always been with early childhood education. She believes that the earliest years of learning lay the essential foundation for lifelong success. Her vision for the Early Childhood Campus is one of inclusion, connection, and high-quality learning, where every child and every family feels seen, valued, and supported.
Venessa Acosta has 21 years of experience in education. She began her career at Vela in 2008, serving first as a school counselor and then as assistant principal for the past eight years.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Learning and Development from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling from Texas State University. In addition, Mrs. Acosta is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S) and a Registered Play Therapist (RPT) in the state of Texas.
She and her husband, Dr. Hector Acosta, are HCISD alumni. Together, they are raising three children: Iliana, Hector, and Gabriel—two of whom have attended Vela Middle School.
