Education
Education news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
EducationSTC Names Nurse Educator Teena Jacob 2026 Faculty of the Year
Teena Jacob, DNP, a faculty member at South Texas College, has been named the 2026 Faculty of the Year for her exceptional dedication to teaching and mentoring future nurses. Jacob believes that teaching is a form of caregiving, and she applies the same compassion and attentiveness in the classroom that she has shown throughout her nursing career. Her commitment to preparing students to become skilled healthcare professionals has significantly contributed to the college's mission. Jacob expressed that teaching allows her to impact the lives of patients indirectly by training competent and compassionate nurses.
EducationTexas Awards $2.5M to Expand Career Pathways in Rural School Districts
Governor Greg Abbott announced the awarding of $2.56 million in grants to 17 rural school district partnerships through the Rural Pathway Excellence Partnership (R-PEP) program. The funding includes $200,000 planning grants to help design career pathways aligned with local labor markets and $80,000 expansion grants for existing partnerships. Abbott emphasized the importance of providing rural students with access to quality education and career opportunities. Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath noted that these grants reflect the state's commitment to supporting rural education, enabling students to prepare for high-demand jobs and contribute to their communities' economic growth.
EducationSTC and McAllen ISD Partner to Launch Technical Career Pathway
South Texas College (STC) recently welcomed incoming freshmen from Nikki Rowe High School for a Summer Bridge orientation, marking the launch of the Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) program in McAllen ISD. This initiative allows students to earn college credits and a tuition-free Level 1 certificate in Electrician Technology or Construction Management while completing their high school education. Students will begin taking courses at STC's Technology Campus in their sophomore year and gain practical experience through partnerships with local employers. The program aims to prepare students for high-demand careers and strengthen the regional workforce.
EducationSouth Texas College Welcomes Fourth Texas A&M Engineering Academy Class
South Texas College has welcomed 36 new students, known as 'Jaggies,' into the fourth cohort of the Texas A&M Engineering Academy. These students participated in a New Student Conference and 'Howdy Day' at the Pecan Campus, where they learned about academic resources and community support. Javier Ramirez Jr., one of the new students, expressed his desire to pursue civil engineering while remaining close to home. The program aims to provide local students with a strong academic foundation before transitioning to Texas A&M, helping them save costs and maintain their support systems during their studies.
EducationRio Grande City Grulla ISD receives $1 million grant for after-school programs
Rio Grande City Grulla ISD has been awarded a $1 million grant to provide free after-school programs for students in the district. This funding will support tutoring, robotics, STEM, and technology skills for approximately 700 students across 10 campuses. District spokesperson Adrian Ozuna emphasized the benefits of small group tutoring for struggling learners, stating it helps bridge learning gaps and builds confidence. Additionally, the district plans to organize bilingual family nights and classes focused on literacy and digital skills for parents. For registration details, interested individuals can contact the district at 956-716-6700.
EducationSharyland ISD hosts law enforcement safety training ahead of new school year
Sharyland ISD conducted a training session for local law enforcement on Tuesday in preparation for the new school year. Officers from the Mission Police Department and Texas Department of Public Safety participated in the event. Mission Police Chief Cesar Torres emphasized the importance of readiness for any potential incidents in schools, highlighting the need for effective communication among local, state, and federal partners. This training aims to ensure the safety of students, parents, and staff as Sharyland ISD gears up for the first day of classes on August 17.
EducationIDEA Public Schools Hosts Immunization Clinics Ahead of School Year
IDEA Public Schools in the Rio Grande Valley is collaborating with Procare to offer 10 affordable immunization clinics for students ahead of the new school year. These clinics aim to ensure that all students are vaccinated and ready for school in August. Starting July 30 and running until August 14, the clinics will be held at various IDEA campuses across the region. Families are encouraged to bring their child's vaccination card, and all required vaccines will be available. Most insurance plans will be accepted, and those without insurance can receive vaccines for $7 each. For more details, contact Alicia at IDEA Public Schools.
EducationAbbott Names Members of Teacher-Led Texas Classroom Commission
Governor Greg Abbott has appointed 21 distinguished educators to the newly formed Texas Classroom Commission, aimed at enhancing public education in the state. This commission will focus on improving student achievement and ensuring Texas leads in educational quality. Chaired by Courtney Boswell MacDonald, the commission includes teachers from various districts, such as Dallas ISD and Houston ISD. Their mission is to provide actionable recommendations to the Governor and the Texas Legislature, building on previous initiatives that increased special education funding and teacher compensation. The commission's work is set to influence the upcoming 90th Legislative Session.
EducationSTC Valley Promise Opens Doors to a Career in Cybersecurity
Matthew Castillo, an 18-year-old Weslaco East High School graduate, is pursuing an Associate of Applied Science in Cybersecurity at South Texas College (STC) through the Valley Promise program. This initiative offers last-dollar financial aid, covering tuition and fees after federal assistance. Castillo credits the program for his smooth transition to college, providing not just financial support but also personal guidance. He has always had a passion for technology and believes cybersecurity is the perfect career for him. Looking ahead, Castillo aims to work in cybersecurity outside the Rio Grande Valley, encouraged by the confidence he gained from STC.
EducationRio Grande City Grulla ISD paints parking lots for band practice fields
Rio Grande City Grulla ISD has enhanced band practice facilities for Rio Grande City High School and Grulla High School by painting sections of their parking lots to resemble football fields. This initiative aims to provide students with clear directional guidance during practice, as noted by district spokesperson Adrian Ozuna. Additionally, new lighting has been installed to allow for evening practices, making it more comfortable for students as temperatures cool down.
EducationUIL heat safety guidelines take effect in August
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Starting on Aug. 1, the University Scholastic League (UIL) will require all school athletic teams and marching bands to follow heat safety guidelines. The guidelines are designed to protect students from overheating when practicing outdoors. The Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District is one of several districts that have been utilizing the
EducationMcAllen ISD Kicks Off P-TECH Bridge Program for Future Electricians and Builders, July 29th
McAllen ISD is launching its P-TECH program this fall, aimed at preparing students for careers in the electrical and construction fields. On July 29, incoming ninth graders will attend a Bridge Orientation at South Texas College’s Technology Campus from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. Approximately 50 students will engage in presentations, team-building activities, and campus tours. The program allows students to earn a tuition-free Level 1 certification in Electrician Technology or Construction Supervision while taking dual credit courses. This initiative addresses the demand for skilled workers and connects classroom learning with real-world applications.
EducationTexas Southmost College to offer Medical Aesthetics Injector Certificate Program
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A new program at Texas Southmost College will soon offer licensed healthcare professionals the opportunity to get certified in medical aesthetics injections. According to STC, medical aesthetics is a branch of medicine that uses clinical procedures and products to adjust personal appearance and reduce signs of aging, including treatments such as Botox,
EducationBipartisan Senate Bill Aims to Help Students Learn to Read
U.S. Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) have introduced the Improving America’s Literacy Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at enhancing literacy education. This legislation allocates federal funding to teach five essential literacy pillars based on the Science of Reading: phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. Cruz emphasized the need for evidence-based methods, noting a significant decline in literacy rates among students. Recent NAEP assessments revealed that 33% of eighth graders and 40% of fourth graders are reading below basic levels. The bill aims to redirect funds from outdated methods to proven instructional strategies.
EducationSTC’s Margarita Vanguelova Reflects on Decades of Teaching
Margarita Vanguelova, a Professor Emeritus at South Texas College (STC), reflects on her nearly two-decade career in the Rio Grande Valley. Originally from Bulgaria, she brought international experience in structural engineering to STC in 2007, where she played a pivotal role in developing the Architecture Engineering Design Technology (AEDT) program. Upon her retirement in May 2023, she was honored with the title of Professor Emeritus for her exceptional service. Vanguelova emphasized the importance of adapting the curriculum to meet industry needs and inspired generations of students, leaving a lasting legacy in the field of architecture and engineering education.
EducationLearn About Back-to-School Events in McAllen and Mission ISD
McAllen families can gear up for the school year at the annual "Back to School Bash" hosted by McAllen ISD. This event will take place at McHi High School from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., offering free school supplies and backpacks, along with information on available programs and services. Parents can also register their children during the event. Meanwhile, Mission ISD will hold its own back-to-school event on Monday, July 27, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., providing free school supplies while supplies last, along with sports physicals, free haircuts, vaccinations, and other community resources. Both districts encourage families to participate to ease the transition back to school.
EducationBoard adjourns meeting without choosing new Edinburg CISD superintendent
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District superintendent position continues to remain open following Saturday's scheduled special-called board meeting. The Board of Trustees met for approximately six hours to discuss superintendent candidates and a possible lone finalist, but adjourned without making a decision. During the meeting, the school board announced that it will
EducationEdinburg CISD to hold second round of interviews for superintendent position
The Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District is still searching for a new superintendent after a recent six-hour special meeting ended without a decision. This meeting was convened following the retirement announcement of former Superintendent Mario H. Salinas in March. The school board has decided to conduct a second round of interviews to find a suitable candidate. Once a finalist is selected, there will be a mandatory waiting period of 21 days before the official hiring can take place.
EducationTexas A & M to host Spanish webinar on New World screwworm
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will host a Spanish-language Zoom webinar on July 30 at 10 a.m. aimed at agricultural workers, focusing on the New World screwworm. The session will cover essential topics such as the insect's life cycle, cattle management, and regulations for moving livestock from affected areas. The New World screwworm is a harmful parasitic fly that can cause severe damage to livestock and wildlife by laying eggs in open wounds. Early detection and response are crucial to mitigate its impact. Interested participants can find more information and register online.