Personnel List
Email Directory
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. Elida Paris - Assistant Director PK - 5th
Mrs. Paris is a founding member of the Oratory Schools serving on the board from 1983 to 1998. She was the board’s first president for the first 5 years. She was also a member of the staff from 1983 to 1998 teaching grades kinder through 7th grade. She has 31 years of teaching experience and 7 years as an administrator at PSJA ISD four of which were as an elementary school principal. Mrs. Paris served on several City of Pharr boards and on many leadership committees with PSJA. She was awarded “Teacher of the Year” in 2003 while teaching at Carnahan Elementary. In 1998 she received the Diocese of Brownsville “Spirit” award for her commitment and dedication to catholic education. Mrs. Paris is the parent of two Oratorian graduates, Jorge and Maritza who attended the Oratory from pre school through 6th grade. She and her husband Mike attend St. Jude Thaddeus Parish where she teaches a Confirmation class.
Mrs. M. Izkra Díaz - Assistant Director 6th - 12th
Maricela Izkra Diaz, originally from Mexico City, has been teaching for over 25 years. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Mexico City at the Universidad Iberoamericana and completed 36 graduate hours in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Texas Pan American in Edinburg, Texas. She earned her Master of Arts in Education--Administration and Supervision in 2008 from the University of Phoenix and is currently an Assistant Director for the Pharr Oratory of St. Philip Neri School System. She has been teaching for the Oratory since 1994, thus having 15 years of Catholic school experience. Mrs. Diaz is a Texas certified Secondary Spanish teacher and is also a certified Texas Web Instructor through the Region 4 Educational Service Center in Houston, Texas. She has been married for 28 years and has devoted her life to family and work.
Rev. José Encarnación Losoya, C.O. - Assistant Director
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.
