Vanessa Avendaño
McAllen
Summary
Committed Assistant Principal with proven expertise in instructional leadership, staff development, and data-driven decision-making. Skilled in managing academic programs, leading campus-wide initiatives, and cultivating a culture of excellence. Recognized for improving teacher effectiveness and student achievement through strategic planning, coaching, and innovative instructional systems.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
4
4
Certification
Work History
Assistant Principal of Instruction
IDEA Los Encinos CP
McAllen, Texas
07.2021 - Current
- Analyzed ELA STAAR performance trends (2024: 6th – 75/55/31 SAS 54; 7th – 65/40/18 SAS 41; 8th – 82/59/10 SAS 57) to drive strategic instructional decisions that sustained an “A” campus rating for four consecutive years.
- Led a campus-wide instructional improvement initiative that transformed 6th grade ELA performance from 32% Approaches / 6% Meets / 0% Masters to 75% / 55% / 31% within one quarter through systemic data analysis, teacher coaching, and targeted intervention cycles.
- Directed key campus initiatives—CSI, RTI, Accelerated Learning (HB1416), MTSS, Title IX, LPAC, Child Find, and Special Education compliance—ensuring equitable access, fidelity of implementation, and alignment with state and district academic priorities.
- Developed and implemented a comprehensive, data-driven intervention framework that narrowed the achievement gap among English Learners, achieving 73% Approaches, 56% Meets, and 22% Masters across grades 6–8 through differentiated instruction and continuous progress monitoring.
- Strengthened instructional capacity through structured feedback and development systems, including 81% lesson plan feedback completion, coaching cycles, and professional development focused on data analysis, ownership, and classroom management—resulting in improved teacher performance achieving 86% proficiency rating or higher rating on SchoolBoost and reduced turnover resulting in 97% teacher retention.
- Established and enforced schoolwide behavioral, attendance (97% ADA), and safety systems, resulting in a measurable decline in incident referrals and a stronger culture of accountability and student engagement.
- Fostered deep family and community partnerships, increasing parent-school engagement by 60% since the school’s founding year and improving stakeholder trust and collaboration.
- Oversaw daily campus operations and building management, coordinating with custodial, safety, and instructional teams to maintain operational excellence, emergency readiness, and a safe, student-centered environment.
- Resolved complex academic, behavioral, and logistical challenges through collaborative action planning with teachers, students, and families, ensuring holistic support and sustained academic growth.
Curriculum Writer
IDEA Los Encinos
McAllen, Texas
06.2021 - 07.2021
- Collaborated with IDEA Public Schools’ national curriculum team to design ELA exit tickets aligned to TEKS standards and daily objectives; previously authored 4th grade Reading Language Arts curriculum for La Joya ISD over a three-year period, ensuring rigor and vertical alignment across grade levels.
Teacher Advisory Council Representative
IDEA Los Encinos
McAllen, Texas
08.2021 - 06.2022
- Empowered a diverse group of 64 experienced IDEA teachers to share their unique perspective with policymakers to advance teacher equity pertaining to Teacher Incentive Allotment.
Course Leader
IDEA Los Encinos
McAllen, Texas
07.2020 - 06.2022
- Facilitate new teacher institute.
- Facilitate Bi-weekly webinars that promote teacher growth in Modules covered during the school year.
- Lead course collaboration sessions which include on-boarding new teachers and assisting them to find materials within our system.
- Share best practices and resources.
- Gather feedback from field to share with manager and ELA director.
- Provide mentorship and support for teachers.
Sixth Grade ELA Educator
IDEA Los Encinos
McAllen, Texas
08.2019 - 06.2022
- Bilingual educator with excellent communication skills engaging effectively with parents, staff, and scholars.
- Served as Grade Level Chair, overseeing curriculum implementation and teacher coordination.
- Representative for Teacher Advisory Committee advocating for educators’ input on school policies and practices.
- Appointed Course Leader for ELA providing mentorship to teachers and ensuring academic excellence for students.
- Coached teachers on curriculum design, instruction methods, and scholar behavior management to promote student achievement.
- Actively involved in TEA STAAR Review Committee for the past 8 years, contributing to state assessment standards.
- Representative in LPAC committee, ensuring appropriate support for English Language Learners.
- Ability to adjust and adapt to a multitude of situations in the school environment.
- Knowledgeable of culture, mission, and goals set forth by IDEA Public Schools.
Third and Fifth Grade Dual Language Educator
Roan Forest Elementary
San Antonio, Texas
07.2013 - 08.2019
- Achieved 98% passing scores in Math, Reading, and Science which includes special education population all four years.
- Use Whole Brain Teaching as differentiated instruction and facilitate learning in the areas of Science, Reading, Language Arts, and Social Studies in both Spanish and English.
- Cultivate a school wide culture that fosters a productive environment for all.
- Gather data to set individual goals for students
- Conference with team, parents, and students on student goals/progress
- Tutor twice a week
- Attend professional development, grade-level meetings and functions
- Use Leader in Me system to communicate behavior expectations
- Use AWARE system to enter student academic needs needed for RTI and 504 programs
- Attended and collaborated with benchmark testing committee.
Fourth Grade Dual Language Teacher
E.B. Reyna Elementary
La Joya, Texas
08.2009 - 05.2013
- Achieved 96% passing scores in Math, Reading, and Writing which includes special education population all five years.
- Implemented TEKS in the areas of Reading, Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies.
- Wrote lesson plans for grade level in the subjects mentioned above
- Grade level chair.
- Tutored students twice a week.
- Attended professional development, team meetings, parent conferences and school functions.
- Used Gradespeed to enter student grades.
- Used Whole Brain teaching as a learning tool.
- LPAC committee member.
- Attended and collaborated with benchmark testing committee.
- Managed two classes of 20 plus students each.
Third and Fourth Grade Bilingual Teacher
El Dorado Elementary
San Antonio, Texas
07.2007 - 05.2009
- Achieved 94% passing score including Special Education.
- Transitioned students to an all-English class based on student ability.
- Facilitated discussions about lessons where students oversaw the topic and discussion.
- Monitored student success and understanding through observation, class work, weekly tests, benchmark assessments, group work, and TAKS.
- Involved in LPAC and SIOP committees.
- Implemented Love and Logic, Champs behavior programs.
Fourth Grade Bilingual Teacher
Poteet Intermediate
Poteet, Texas
08.2005 - 05.2006
- Achieved 100% passing scores in Math, Reading, and Writing which includes special education population.
- Managed three effective and productive classes with a maximum of twenty students.
- Taught Language Arts/Social Studies/ESL (Math and Language Arts)
- Implemented innovative lesson plans for each subject
- Conducted successful parent-teacher conferences monthly
- Actively involved in DEIC, RAAD, and PTO meetings.
- Comfortable and experienced developing rapport with and lending support to children from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.
- Utilized email to communicate with students regarding their assigned projects.
Education
Master of Arts - Masters in Educational Administration
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX02-2025
Principal As Instructional Leader - Educational Leadership And Management
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX02-2025
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism
The University of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX12.2000
Skills
- Performance monitoring
- Critical Thinking and Judgment
- Teacher Mentoring
- Discipline management
- Student and parent relations
- Personnel reviews
- School culture
Certification
Alternative Teacher Certification Bilingual Education EC-6
Northwest Vista College – San Antonio, Texas “December 2005”
Principal as Instructional Leader
Performance Assessment for School Leaders (PASL)
Languages
Spanish
Native/ Bilingual
Awards
- Teacher of the Year nominee for 6 years in a row.
- Nominated for Trinity Award and Teacher of the Year two consecutive years.
- Emmy Award, CNNI -2001
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Teacher Advisory Council Representative
IDEA Los Encinos
08.2021 - 06.2022
Assistant Principal of Instruction
IDEA Los Encinos CP
07.2021 - Current
Curriculum Writer
IDEA Los Encinos
06.2021 - 07.2021
Course Leader
IDEA Los Encinos
07.2020 - 06.2022
Sixth Grade ELA Educator
IDEA Los Encinos
08.2019 - 06.2022
Third and Fifth Grade Dual Language Educator
Roan Forest Elementary
07.2013 - 08.2019
Fourth Grade Dual Language Teacher
E.B. Reyna Elementary
08.2009 - 05.2013
Third and Fourth Grade Bilingual Teacher
El Dorado Elementary
07.2007 - 05.2009
Fourth Grade Bilingual Teacher
Poteet Intermediate
08.2005 - 05.2006
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism
The University of Texas At Austin
Master of Arts - Masters in Educational Administration
Lamar University
Principal As Instructional Leader - Educational Leadership And Management
Lamar University