LaredoBuzz.Com

Courtesy Rocio Moore,

 Colonel Santos Benavides Elementary can expect to see a familiar face replacing outgoing Principal Dr. Villarreal. Current Assistant Principal, Dr. Adriana Vela, was recently selected as the new Principal at Colonel Santos Benavides Elementary. The United Independent School District Board of Trustees and Superintendent Roberto J. Santos voted to install Dr. Vela at the monthly Board Meeting.

Dr. Vela is a veteran educator with extensive experience working with elementary students. She began her career fifteen years ago working as a classroom teacher with McAllen ISD. Soon after beginning her career as a classroom teacher, Dr. Vela and her family moved to Laredo, where she continued her professional career at United ISD working as a classroom teacher at Bonnie Garcia Elementary and Amparo Gutierrez Elementary School. In 2007, Dr. Vela completed her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership at Texas A&M International University and subsequently became the Assistant Principal at Colonel Santos Benavides Elementary.  Dr. Vela again returned to further her studies at Texas A&M in Kingsville where she earned her Doctorate in Education Leadership in December of 2015.

Dr. Vela’s passion for learning has earned her a number of collegiate accolades to include being published in a national scholarly journal and has garnered the respect of her peers who admire her work ethic and dedication. Dr. Vela holds certifications in: Texas Principal, Superintendent, and is a certified Bilingual Educator.

“As we proceeded through a rigorous interview process it quickly became evident that Dr. Vela was the best candidate to succeed Dr. Villarreal at Colonel Santos,” stated Roberto J. Santos, Superintendent for United ISD. “Her leadership and knowledge of the school is an asset students and staff will prosper from,” he added.

Dr. Vela will assume her new role this summer, but will begin the transition process by working alongside Dr. Villarreal for the remaining of this school year.