Corporate Office staff celebrating "El 16 de septiembre"!
The Corporate Office, in the spirit of community, enjoyed celebrating "El 16 de septiembre" along with the campus staff and student body.
Meeting Daily Campus Needs
Under the direction of Plant Manager and Finance Director, Manuel N. Pérez, two members of our working crew, V. LaFontant and J. Rodríguez, can been seen getting about on their campus cart responding to school needs. The crew assist with custodial, maintenance, carpentry, grounds management, and other teacher and students needs.
Celebrating 25 Years of Service to the Oratory Schools of Pharr, TX
(l to r)
Maria G. Gutierrez, G. Yvonne Pérez, Very Rev. Leo-Francis Daniels, C.O.
2008 Diocesan Events
In-Service Team Building - August 18-20
See all photos.
2008-09 Teacher/Staff Assignments
See complete list in PDF.
Mrs. Cristina M. Plata - Directora, Instituto Newman
Con una experiencia educativa de más de 20 años, la Sra. Plata cursó estudios en la Escuela Normal del Estado de Coahuila en Saltillo, Coah., México. Es licenciada en Ciencias de la Información por la Universidad de Monterrey y cuenta con estudios de Maestría en Comunicación Académica en la Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas. En 1998 obtuvo la Especialización en Dirección de Centros Educativos en el Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo para la Educación en la ciudad de México. Inició su labor docente en Reynosa en 1983. Fue maestra de Historia y Español en secundaria, coordinadora de primaria y ocupó el cargo de directora de secundaria y subdirectora general. En preparatoria impartió clases de Lectura y Redacción, Literatura, Ética y Comunicación. Su esposo ha sido Presidente de la Federación Noreste de Escuelas Particulares y consejero de la Confederación Nacional de Escuelas Particulares en México. Tiene dos hijos que asisten a la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, en Monterrey, México.
Mrs Plata has been working in education since 1983 in Reynosa, where she was born. She studied at the “Escuela Normal del Estado de Coahuila” in Saltillo, Coahuila, México. She obtained her Mass Communication degree at the “Universidad Monterrey” in Nuevo León, México and her Master degree in Academic Communication at “Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas”. Mrs Plata studied a specialization in directing educative centers at “Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo para la Educación” in México City. She taught History, Ethics, Literature, Communications and Spanish at secondary level in private schools and has been an Elementary coordinator and Junior High principal. Mrs. Plata’s husband, Carlos, is a former President of “Federación Noreste de Escuelas Particulares” and counselor of “Confederación Nacional de Escuelas Particulares in México”. Her two sons are currently attending University of Nuevo León in Monterrey, México.
Mrs. Ellen F. Allen - Academy Grades PK-2nd, Campus Coordinator
Mrs. Allen has been working with the Oratory Schools since 1987, after the birth of her only child, Jessica. While she is originally from Amarillo, TX, where she was raised
the second child of six by Roy and Arene Doerfler, her husband, John Barton Allen, is a native of the Valley.
With a BA Major in Elementary Education, and a Minor in Biology,
Mrs. Allen has taught grade levels 2 through 12 in public and parochial schools since 1972. Her extensive experience with youth of all ages includes coaching 7th and 8th girls basketball.
After teaching grades 2-9 at the Oratory Schools, Mrs. Allen served one year as Moore Rd. Campus Coordinator in 1998, before moving to the Ironwood Campus to serve
as Campus Coordinator for grades PK-2.
Mrs. Allen was the recipient of the Diocese of Brownsville Spirit Award in
1998, and in 2001, Mrs. Allen was the recipient of the Christa McAuliffe Fellowship Program.
The $50,000 grant was awarded for her project called Science Learning Arena of the Texas Environment (SLATE). In May 2005, Mr. and Mrs. Allen, friends and family, to include her mother,
Arene Doerfler, celebrated Jessica's high school graduation as Valedictorian from the Oratory Athenaeum for University Preparation.
Mrs. Izkra M. Díaz - Academy Grades 3rd-8th, Campus Coordinator
Izkra Díaz was born in Mexico City, Mexico and studied at "La Universidad Iberoamericana" obtaining a degree in Health and Nutrition. She has been responsible for investigative studies for the Food and Health Departments and General Foods in Mexico. All the while, she felt a deep calling for teaching. Therefore, she began her teaching career at several prestigious private Catholic universities in Mexico.
Searching for a life of tranquility and better educational opportunities for her two young sons, Mrs. Díaz and her husband, Carlos, moved to McAllen, TX. After discovering the bilingual nature of the Oratory Schools and its strong Catholic and academic philosophies, her sons Daniel and Roberto were enrolled in 1994. Daniel started as a 5th grader and Roberto was in Kindergarten. In 2002, Daniel graduated from the Oratory Athenaeum as Valedictorian and Roberto continues his studies, now in his Junior year. Daniel recently graduated from St. Mary's University in San Antonio and is continuing his postgraduate studies there.
Mrs. Díaz started working at the Oratory Schools as a volunteer mom in 1999. She and her husband decided that this was where she wanted to continue her career, so in 2001 she obtained her teaching certification and continues her studies online. She now serves as the Coordinator for the Moore Rd. campus. Mrs. Díaz knows from her personal and professional experience that the Oratory Schools form strong, moral leaders and is proud to be a part of the Oratorian family.
Rev. José Encarnación Losoya, C.O., Vice-Principal
Athenaeum Grades 9th-12th, Vice-Principal
Father José has been a board member since his ordination in 1996. However, he has dedicated his time and efforts at the Oratory Schools since before becoming a priest. He studied in Mexico City where he attained his degree in Theology and later in Psychology at UTPA. Today, Father serves his community in a variety of ways. First, he is a priest assisting at both St. Jude Thaddeus Parish and the Oratory Schools. Secondly, he's dedicated his career as vice-principal, academic counselor, and teacher at the Oratory Schools. Father José continues his education through taking on-line graduate courses and attaining certifications in technology and grant writing. As school counselor, he has helped high school students attain scholarships at various private and public universities across the state of Texas.
G. Yvonne Pérez, President, Oratory Schools
Mrs. Pérez is a founding member of the Oratory Schools serving on the board since 1983. She was the first and only Directress (principal) of the educational institution until February of 2005 where she took on the role of President. Prior to serving her community in the private sector, Mrs. Pérez worked as a teacher, coordinator and principal for both Point Isabel and PSJA Independent School Districts for over 10 years. She is also an author of bilingual educational literature and is published by the Scott Foresman Company. Presently, she also sits on the board of the Pharr Historical Commission and was awarded a "Leadership Pharr" scholarship sponsored by the Pharr Chamber of Commerce last year. Like other board members, she is also the parent of an Oratorian graduate- Laura (PK 3-6th grade). She and her family attend St. Jude Thaddeus Parish and live in Pharr.
Rev. Mario Alberto Avilés, C.O., Director (Principal)
Father Mario joined the school board upon his ordination in 1998. He, like Father José, found himself volunteering at the Oratory Schools pre-ordination. Father Mario serves his community as head priest at Sacred Heart Church in Hidalgo in addition to his evangelical duties to his mother church, St. Jude Thaddeus. Fluent in four languages, Father Mario's studies took him to Rome, Italy where he received degrees in Theology and Philosophy. This year marks his first year as Director of the Oratory Schools making him the second principal in the school's 23-year history. Before becoming Director, he taught high school courses at the Oratory and assisted with weekly masses.
Manuel N. Pérez, Sr., Director of Finance
Mr. Pérez is a founding member of the Oratory Schools serving as a board member since 1983. He began his career with the PSJA Independent School District where he served as teacher, principal, Federal Programs Administrator and Asst. Superintendent for Finance for almost 30 years. He was also employed by the Point Isabel Independent School District through the mid-late 70's as Asst. Superintendent. From 1980 through 1997, he served as Asst. Superintendent for Finance for PSJA and Mission C.I.S.D. having served at PSJA for fourteen years and retiring from the public education sector in 1997. Through the years, he has further served his community as Pharr Chamber President, and Lion's Club Member. Today, Mr. Pérez is employed by the Oratory Schools as Director of Finance and Plant Coordinator. He is also the parent of one of the Oratory's very first class of students in 1983, Laura, who attended the school (PK 3-6th grade). He and his family are parishioners of St. Jude Thaddeus Parish and reside in Pharr.