Superintendent of Schools

A passionate educator, leader, and advocate for students, Dr. Marcey Sorensen joined La Joya ISD as Superintendent in February 2024 after serving as Deputy Superintendent for the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE). During her time at VDOE, Sorensen focused chiefly on initiatives surrounding learning acceleration, early literacy, and special education for Virginia’s 1.3 million public school students enrolled across 131 districts. She launched Virginia’s high-intensity tutoring program to address learning loss in both reading and math for students across the Commonwealth in response to learning disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  

In 2019, Sorensen joined the Fort Worth Independent School District as Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning before being promoted to Chief Academic Officer. During her tenure, the district saw an 80% increase in the number of campuses that improved to a B rating while simultaneously seeing a nearly 90% decrease in the number of F-rated campuses. Sorensen reorganized the district’s special education department to better serve students with disabilities, overhauled instructional practices, led the adoption of aligned and nationally recognized, evidence-based curriculum in literacy, math, and dual language, and collaborated with Texas Christian University to establish a principal pipeline to help train the district’s future leaders. Dr. Sorensen also oversaw the Department of Multilingual Learners to ensure that students needing dual language services received evidence-based instruction and supports while aligning resources for families and caregivers so that multilingual learners had the resources needed to become more academically successful.   

From 2017 to 2019, Sorensen worked at the Madison (Wisconsin) Metropolitan School District, joining as Executive Director of Curriculum & Instruction before finishing her tenure as Deputy Chief of Secondary Schools. Sorensen began her career in 1995 with Chicago Public Schools, spending 10 years as a social studies teacher before transitioning into an administrative role, where she led three campuses as principal for almost 11 years.   

A 1995 graduate of Northern Illinois University, Sorensen obtained her Master of Education in Pre-K-12 Administration & Supervision from Northeastern Illinois University in 2004. She earned her doctorate in Educational Policy & Leadership from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2015 with her superintendency endorsement.   

Dr. Sorensen, her husband, a lifelong educator himself, and her two children are thrilled to be a part of the La Joya ISD Community and to call the Rio Grande Valley home.  

Chief of Staff

Joseph Niedziela will assume the role of Chief of Staff for La Joya ISD, bringing with him over 20 years of teaching and leading experience. Grounded in a firm commitment to equity and excellence, Mr. Niedziela is dedicated to ensuring every child's right to a high-quality education. His leadership has a strong track record of lowering access barriers for students, improving student achievement outcomes, and strengthening organizational capacity to better support campuses and stakeholders.

Mr. Niedziela has served in a range of leadership positions in the Fort Worth Independent School District over the last 20 years.  In addition to his 10 years in the classroom, he served as a Content Specialist, Director of Social Studies, district lead administrator of summer learning and acceleration programs, Executive Director of Social Studies & Curriculum Supports, and a cabinet leader within the Division of Academics. Most recently, he was Director of K-12 Humanities. Mr. Niedziela began his career in education teaching grades 6-8 Social Studies and English at Saint Andrew’s the Apostle School in Clifton, New Jersey and is an 8-year veteran of the United States Marine Corps.

Mr. Niedziela received his Bachelor’s degree in political science from Texas Christian University where he met his loving wife of 20 years and with whom he has a teenage daughter. He holds a Master’s degree in Education in Teaching with Educational Leadership certification from the University of Texas at Arlington.  Mr. Niedziela is honored and humbled to have the opportunity to join the La Joya ISD family and is eager to serve the community as Chief of Staff.

Chief of Operations and Infrastructure

Dr. Sara Capwell Geary is excited to join the La Joya ISD community as the Chief of Operations and Infrastructure.  She is a forward-thinking leader with over 28 years of experience in the education field and has a proven track record of leading transformation initiatives in both academic and operational arenas.  Dr. Geary's experience includes roles as Area 3 Florida State Deputy Director for CSUSA, Director of Secondary Schools, Director of Academics, Director of Transportation, Director of Food & Nutritional Services, Elementary, Middle, and High School Principal, Literacy Coach, and Classroom Teacher.  Within these roles, Dr. Geary successfully opened multiple new school locations and made data-driven decisions to adjust policies, programs, and curriculum that improved overall academic and financial performance.

 Her systems approach also led to the enhancement of safety protocols, emergency preparedness, and crisis response strategies, the implementation of efficient systems and processes to ensure facilities were well-maintained, and the development of innovative community partnerships to improve nutritional programs.  Whether leading area leaders and programs, leading a school building, or teaching in the classroom, Dr. Geary’s passion has always been to bring about positive change, to empower others to achieve their goals, and to build trustworthy relationships within the community.

 Dr. Geary holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Administration from Liberty University, a Master of Education in Leadership from the University of South Florida, and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Central Florida.

 Dr. Geary has two adult children, Luke and Mark who remain her inspiration and a loving husband, Sean.  Dr. Geary and her husband look forward to becoming part of the La Joya ISD community and serving the people of La Joya.

Chief of Business and Administrative Services

Mirgitt Crespo is a veteran of acquiring and managing resources to further the work of educators. Before relocating to the Rio Grande Valley, she served Fort Worth ISD for over twenty years in its Grants & Development Department, both as the Executive Director of Federal Programs, successfully overseeing over $80 million of entitlements and other Federal Grants annually, and then as its Senior Officer, where she worked in budgeting, planning, and monitoring of over $380 million in District projects financed with state and federal funds, with zero audit findings. During her time as Senior Officer, the department was awarded over 90% of the grants for which it applied. Outside of the office, Mirgitt is also able to exercise her passion for education policy and administration through her membership with both the Association of Compensatory Educators of Texas where she served as Regional Director for 4 years, and the Texas Association of School Business Officials.

Mirgitt’s highest priority is to serve ALL students by providing them with the necessary resources to excel. She enjoys being active in the community and in 2023 was named one of 50 Emerging Latino Leaders by the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in recognition of her reputation for looking for opportunities to increase her contribution by strengthening connections and bringing change in the community. She has served as a member of the boards of the Tarrant Area Food Bank and the Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas (Fort Worth), a non-profit, state-wide organization established in 1987 to empower women in public, private, and civic arenas. One of the many highlights of her work with the Fort Worth chapter is serving in the Latinas in Progress Mentorship Program that helps aspiring college-bound students achieve their dreams.

Mirgitt is a native of Caracas, Venezuela where she received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from La Universidad Católica Andres Bello. Following  graduation, she designed coursework for, and taught, six Education and Business courses at two universities, and conducted Research for a UNESCO project on Child Development. She immigrated to the United States in 2002 to attend The University of Texas at Austin, where she received a Master of Arts in Education before beginning her tenure at Fort Worth ISD. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, spending time with her family, including her husband Hector and their three rescue poodles, and all things Disney.

Chief of Student, Family & Community Services

Claudia Gomez-Perez is a dedicated educational leader with a passion for fostering excellence and innovation in learning environments. With over two decades of experience, she has cultivated a reputation for self-direction, enthusiasm, and a relentless commitment to pushing boundaries.

In her role as Principal at Jimmy Carter Early College High School in La Joya ISD, TX, since February 2017, Mrs. Gomez-Perez has spearheaded initiatives to create a dynamic and inclusive educational atmosphere. Prior to this, she served as the Bilingual/ESL Supervisor and K-12 Science Coordinator within the La Joya school district, honing her skills in curriculum development, teacher training, and program implementation.

 With a remarkable tenure of 20 years in La Joya ISD, Mrs. Gomez-Perez brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the community she serves. Not only is she an employee of this vibrant district, but she is also a proud parent within its schools. This dual perspective fuels her passion for serving the community and ensures that her work is driven by a genuine desire to make a positive impact on the lives of students, families, and the community.

 Mrs. Gomez-Perez’ journey in education began as a Chemistry and Physics Teacher at Hidalgo High School, where she discovered her passion for igniting curiosity and fostering critical thinking skills in students. Over the years, she has had the privilege of serving in various capacities, including as an Assistant Principal and a Research Assistant at both the University of Texas Pan American and the Argonne National Laboratory under the U.S. Department of Energy. Complementing her hands-on experience, Mrs. Gomez-Perez holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with a Minor in Biology and a Master of Education in Secondary Education.

Throughout her career, Mrs. Gomez-Perez has been fortunate to receive recognition for her contributions to education, including distinctions such as a 2018 National Blue Ribbon School Award, being named a Texas Honor Roll recipient and a U.S. News and World Report Best High Schools for eight years in a row. These accolades, along with her commitment to continuous improvement and dedication to student success, drive her to excel in all endeavors.

Mrs. Gomez-Perez is eager and excited to continue her service to the La Joya ISD community in her new role as Chief of Student, Family, and Community Services. Together with the La Joya ISD Family she will continue building our legacy of educational excellence!

Chief of Human Capital and Talent Development

Jaime Miller is an accomplished leader with 23 years of experience in education, having served in various roles including teacher, principal, curriculum and instruction, and talent development. Known for pioneering innovative educational programs, the ECISD Talent Development Department, under Mrs. Miller's leadership, launched the first Registered Principal Apprentice Program with the Department of Labor for a Local Education Agency (LEA) in the nation, setting a new standard for leadership training. Additionally, the Talent Development Department, led by Mrs. Miller, played a crucial role in securing a $9 million grant from the Department of Education, significantly enhancing strategic compensation for teachers and leaders in ECISD.

As Executive Director of Talent Development, Mrs. Miller managed the district's in-house Educator Preparation Program (EPP) as well as strategic staffing initiatives, including Opportunity Culture. She also oversaw teacher and leader pipelines and helped create incentive pay structures that ensured educators were recognized for their contributions. These achievements were accomplished through collaborative efforts with various teams, whose commitment to excellence has been instrumental in driving innovative initiatives. Mrs. Miller's strategic vision and dedication to improving educational outcomes have established her as a respected authority in talent development and human capital.

Chief of Academics and School Leadership

Derek Little is a lifelong educator with experiences at the school, district and state levels, having worked in Louisiana, Ohio and Texas. He proudly comes from a family committed to public education. His mom retired from the local school system where Derek grew up and his wife, Kristy, is a fellow educator. Derek and Kristy are humbled and proud to be adoptive parents (of two Texans) and have a combined family with his sister and niece. 

Derek recently served as chief of staff for the CIncinnati Public Schools, where he led the development of the district’s strategic plan. He served previously as the deputy chief academic officer with the Dallas Independent School District where he led the district's efforts for early learning, special education, bilingual/ESL, advanced academics, extended learning, student activities, and intervention.  In addition, Derek led the district’s COVID recovery and acceleration efforts, including the ESSER strategy and implementation.  Prior to this, Derek served as the assistant superintendent for early learning with Dallas ISD.  In that role, Derek led the district's efforts from birth to 3rd grade.  

Before joining Dallas ISD, Derek served as the deputy director of early childhood at the Louisiana Department of Education, where he led policy planning for funding, accountability, enrollment, workforce, and governance of early childhood programs. Previously, Derek was the director of finance and operations for the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts and increased funding for the school at a time of budget cuts to education statewide. Derek started his career teaching high school math. 

He earned a bachelor's degree in molecular biology and a master's degree in finance from Tulane University. He has also earned master's degrees in educational leadership from Northwestern State University and the Broad Center for Urban Education. Derek holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Southern Methodist University. 

Deputy Chief of School Leadership

Tamara Albury is a highly respected educator and leader with a profound commitment to educational equity and excellence. Her journey in education began with a solid foundation at Union College in New York, where she pursued majors in Sociology and Africana Studies, complemented by a minor in Russian Language. She furthered her academic credentials by earning a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Mississippi, preparing herself for impactful leadership roles in education.

With over two decades of experience in the field, Tamara's career has been distinguished by her advocacy for traditionally marginalized populations and her dedication to creating educational access for all students. She started as a social studies teacher and progressed through various leadership positions, including Academic Coordinator and District Gifted and Talented Specialist, where she championed inclusive educational practices and advanced curriculum development.

Tamara's leadership prowess shone brightly when she took the helm of a National Blue Ribbon all-girls Title I school, guiding it to the top 1% of schools nationwide and earning the College Board AP Honor Roll at the Platinum Level. Her achievements underscore her ability to foster environments where every student can thrive academically and personally.

Passionate about national educational discourse, Tamara has presented at prestigious conferences such as the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), College Board's Dream Deferred, and the National Alliance of Black School Educators. Her presentations have focused on strategies to empower traditionally marginalized students and advance educational equity.

Tamara Albury's commitment to service extends beyond education. She is actively involved in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, The Links Incorporated, and the Junior League, where she contributes to community service initiatives and fosters leadership among women.

Most recently, Tamara played a role in the historical district-wide transformation efforts in Houston Independent School District (HISD), serving as Executive Director. In this capacity, she implemented initiatives aimed at enhancing educational outcomes and opportunities for students across the district, further solidifying her reputation as a visionary leader in education reform.

Tamara Albury continues to inspire and empower educators, students, and community members through her unwavering dedication to educational excellence, equity, and inclusive leadership. Her contributions to education and community service serve as a beacon of hope and progress in the quest for a brighter future for all students.

Deputy Chief of Academics

Martin Munoz, with over 26 years of teaching and leadership experience, is stepping into the role of Deputy Chief of Academics for La Joya ISD. Grounded in a firm commitment to equity and excellence, Mr. Munoz is dedicated to ensuring every child’s right to educational excellence. With a proven track record of fostering academic success, enhancing student achievement, and fortifying organizational capacity, Mr. Munoz brings invaluable expertise to our district.

 Having served in various leadership capacities within La Joya Independent School District for two decades, Mr. Munoz's journey includes six years in the classroom and roles such as assistant principal at E.R. Chapa Elementary, principal at William J. Clinton Elementary, and Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Services, among others.

 Mr. Munoz holds a Bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and a Master's degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Texas Pan American. As both a former graduate and current resident of our district, his passion for our students' success runs deep. Alongside his wife of 29 years and their daughter, Mr. Munoz eagerly anticipates continued collaboration with all members of our school community.

 Under his leadership, La Joya ISD remains committed to preparing graduating students to be college, career, and life-ready. Through rigorous academic programs, comprehensive support services, and partnerships with the community, Mr. Munoz ensures that each student is equipped with the skills, knowledge, and mindset necessary to succeed in higher education, pursue fulfilling careers, and thrive in all aspects of life.

Deputy Chief of Human Capital and Talent Development

Dr. Angela Gonzalez is a dedicated education professional with over three decades of experience in Texas public education, spanning roles in district and campus leadership, teaching, administration, and superintendence. Her commitment to student success has been unwavering throughout her career.

Having served in various capacities within the education system, Dr. Gonzalez brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her current role. She has taught at The University of Texas at the Rio Grande Valley for the College of Education, where she shared her passion for learning and educational leadership with aspiring educators. Dr. Gonzalez holds a master's degree in Educational Leadership and Bilingual Education, as well as a doctoral degree in Education, both earned from The University of Texas System.

In the last decade, Dr. Gonzalez has focused on refining her practices in research and evaluation-based systems to recruit and retain highly qualified professionals. She has played a pivotal role in developing and implementing policies for district personnel and creating programs for teacher and administration staff development. Her dedication to excellence has been instrumental in fostering a culture of continuous improvement within the districts she has served.

Dr. Gonzalez firmly believes in the interconnectedness of the school district community. She recognizes that every connection—whether with students, families, staff members, or community stakeholders—plays a crucial role in supporting the success of each individual. Her leadership philosophy centers on collaboration, empowerment, and equity, ensuring that all members of the school community have the resources and support they need to thrive.

In June 2024, Dr. Angela Gonzalez assumed the role of Deputy Chief of Human Capital and Talent Development at La Joya ISD, furthering her mission to cultivate a culture of excellence and innovation in education. Outside of her professional endeavors, Dr. Gonzalez is the proud mother of two accomplished children. Her son graduated with an MBA from UT Austin, while her daughter earned a MS in Regenerative Medicine and Entrepreneurship from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland Ohio.