About the Director / Sobre el Director

 

                                                  Extra!       Extra!        Read all about it!

 

                                                                   An Educator in the making

It is with great pleasure that I introduce myself to our community as I begin my 26th year in Education. So what is it that has kept me here this long that creates the love of teaching and learning in me? It all began with "Once Upon a time...."

My name is Gerardo D. Montes and I abide by these characteristics and qualities. From the beginning, I knew that I had to be an effective communicator. 

If I was not, I would not have been able to teach 8th graders as I did for 9 years. To see their faces in confusion, awe, and laughter gave me insight into how to educate a pre-teen. Having good communication skills taught me that I could bring out a great amount of knowledge in them. 

I have always taken a leadership role and have managed to see positive outcomes because of my communication skills. 

In climbing the educator ladder, you must also be a good listener. I did more listening than talking and it is probably why I am the Director of Interventions and Instructional Support. A fancy title! I like it!

By being an effective listener, I survived teaching at the middle school, being an assistant principal at the middle school level, shifting gears to an elementary principal at an Exemplary campus, and director of Bilingual Education, Assessment, and PEIMS. All because I listened to what the needs were and got my degree in Educational Administration from Texas A&M Kingsville. 

Even before, my Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Reading from Texas A&M International University in Laredo, Texas gave me the empathy and patience that I needed to teach students who struggled with Reading and Comprehension. I began abiding by this quote, "don't judge me by my entrance, but judge me by my exit." It was and is to this day that with this mindset I am able to expect positive change in someone, and all because I had the empathy and patience. I always included myself in that equation. 

Collaboration and adaptability have allowed me to oversee the counseling department at Zapata County ISD. It has taught me that the Social Emotional Learning component of a child and other educators matter way before they even produce the product. The wonderful group of counselors completes this part of my learning. 

I have incorporated my experience into the RTI or Response to Intervention and 504 accommodations that are part of the human component that we need to nurture our talents. If we were meant to work with others, then by all means we need to work through the collaboration of others. Adaptability is a must in a world that needs adapting to the many facets of education. 

Finally, my creative skills have allowed me to work with the Gifted and Talented learners and provide experiences for them that will open their minds to career-oriented avenues. So far, the GT camps have been the highlight of the program with students' and teachers' enthusiasm for high levels of learning.

My biggest accomplishment has been getting my Superintendency. In doing so, I have reached an overarching level that allows me to use my knowledge, and experience, intertwined with the characteristics and qualities aforementioned. At this point in my career, "the sky is the limit!"

So, this is who I am and what I have become by abiding by these characteristics and qualities to educate children and staff.

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions! As Carly Rae Jepsen sings, " here's my number, so call me maybe!" I'll be waiting. 

 

Yours in Education, 

Gerardo D. Montes

Office: 956-765-6546 Extension 2604