Hidalgo County Head Start Program Home

The Hidalgo County Head Start Program proudly celebrated its educators during the 2nd Annual Teacher of the Year Banquet, held Thursday, April 9, at the DoubleTree by Hilton in McAllen, Texas. The event recognized 27 outstanding Teacher of the Year nominees representing Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4 classrooms from Head Start campuses across the county.
Head Start Administration, Department Directors, Campus Directors, Principals, and Superintendents were among the distinguished guests in attendance, showing strong support for early childhood education. During the evening, one teacher from each category was honored as Teacher of the Year for the 2025–2026 school year. Roxanna Rios from Edinburg Head Start campus was named Pre-K 3 Teacher of the Year, and Nubia Ruiz from Edinburg North Head Start received the Pre-K 4 Teacher of the Year award. Each recipient was awarded a $2,000 check and will attend the National Head Start Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The Hidalgo County Head Start Program was proudly selected as one of only 11 programs nationwide to receive the Program of Excellence designation in 2025. This prestigious recognition reflects the program’s ongoing commitment to high-quality early childhood education, professional growth, and positive outcomes for children and families. Our teachers exemplify excellence in the classroom every day, and their dedication, innovation, and passion continue to elevate the program. As representatives of this honor, our educators showcase the strength, quality, and impact of the Hidalgo County Head Start Program at the local, state, and national levels.

On March 31st, the Family Service Department staff proudly hosted the Family Service Worker Appreciation Luncheon, an event dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the outstanding efforts of our Family Service Workers. This special gathering was an opportunity to pause, reflect, and express sincere gratitude for the vital role these dedicated professionals play in supporting our families and children across campus.
Family Service Workers serve on the front lines every day, offering guidance, advocacy, and compassionate care to those who need it most. Their commitment, resilience, and tireless efforts make a meaningful difference in the lives of countless families, and this luncheon was a small but heartfelt way to honor their impact and dedication.
The event featured a powerful and engaging keynote presentation by Zacarias Martinez, Mental Health Counselor, who spoke on the important topic of “Managing Stress.” His presentation offered practical strategies, encouragement, and insight tailored specifically to the demands faced by Family Service Workers, emphasizing the importance of self-care, balance, and mental wellness while serving others.
In addition, Executive Director Ms. Irma Peña shared thoughtful and inspiring remarks, expressing her deep appreciation for the Family Service team’s continued hard work, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to the community. Her words highlighted the crucial role Family Service Workers play in strengthening families and fostering positive outcomes for children.
The luncheon was held at Fellowship Baptist Church in Edinburg, Texas, providing a welcoming and supportive setting for fellowship, reflection, and celebration. The event served not only as a recognition of service but also as a moment of connection and renewal for our team.

March was National Nutrition Month, and this year our Head Start campuses marked the occasion with a four‑day Nutrition Showcase held March 2–5, 2026. Each campus brought its own creativity and enthusiasm to the celebration, engaging parents and students in hands‑on activities designed to highlight the importance of healthy eating and overall wellness. While the national theme, “Discover the Power of Nutrition,” guided this year’s efforts, campuses were also encouraged to develop unique themes that reflected the strengths, cultures, and interests of their school communities.
Throughout the week, families participated in cooking demonstrations, nutrition‑focused presentations, taste‑testing activities, and classroom lessons that introduced children to colorful fruits, fresh vegetables, whole grains, and other nutrient‑rich foods. Many campuses showcased student projects and interactive displays created in partnership with teachers, Family Service Workers, and parent committees. These activities not only made learning fun but also reinforced how nutrition supports growth, development, and academic success.
The impact our staff makes each day extends far beyond preparing and serving meals. Head Start nutrition teams, teachers, and family engagement staff work together to promote healthy habits both in the classroom and at home. National Nutrition Month provides a meaningful opportunity to strengthen this message by empowering families with tools they can use daily such as reading nutrition labels, incorporating balanced ingredients into family meals, and modeling positive eating behaviors.
By preparing nutritious meals and encouraging children to try new foods, parents and caregivers help lay the foundation for lifelong wellness. Early exposure to healthy eating not only shapes children’s preferences but also supports long‑term health outcomes and strengthens family routines around food and wellness.
The 2026 Nutrition Showcase was a vibrant reminder of the power of community, education, and collaboration. Together, our Head Start campuses continue to support families in making healthy choices that nourish both body and mind today and for years to come.

Father involvement plays a vital role in strengthening parent, family, and community partnerships. At the Hidalgo County Head Start Program, we are committed to empowering fathers as advocates, lifelong educators, and their children’s first teachers. Our team continues to offer meaningful resources that support fathers’ strengths, interests, and needs, encouraging active participation and enriching the Head Start community.
A highlight of this event was the presence of distinguished guests who helped make the day especially impactful. Precinct IV Commissioner Ellie Torres joined us and delivered a message on the importance of the conference and the essential role fathers play in early childhood development.
We were also honored to welcome keynote speaker Fernando Castillo, Donna ISD School Board Member, who shared an inspiring message centered on leadership, engagement, and family success.
In addition, an exceptional lineup of presenters contributed greatly to the day’s learning and conversation:
Ms. Adelita F. Muñoz (Emeritus), retired Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Agent;
Mr. Tomas “Tom” Tamez, Parent and Family Engagement and McKinney-Vento Director; Mr. Miguel Chuca, Region One Administrator with Assessment Analytics, Library Services, STEM, Instructional Technology, and Distance Learning, and Dr. Jasmine Gowarty, M.D., Medical Oncologist and Hematologist at Texas Oncology in McAllen. Their expertise and collaboration, combined with the support of Commissioner Torres highlighted the significance of father engagement and the strong community spirit that continues to uplift our Head Start families.

The conference was held on Friday, February 27th at the Doubletree Hotel in Mcallen, TX.

The Governance Leadership Conference was held February 13–15, 2026, at South Padre Island, bringing together a dynamic group of Head Start Administration leaders and newly elected Policy Council members.
This year’s inspiring theme, “Children First, Always,” set the tone for a vibrant three-day learning experience. Attendees participated in a variety of workshops and presentations, including Head Start Overview, Conference Framework, Team-Building Strategies, Head Start Essentials & ERSEA Training, and detailed departmental overviews led by program and department directors.
Throughout the conference, members received important training on the roles and responsibilities of the Policy Council, as well as the Governance Structure and Bylaws that guide the program.
Beyond the sessions, the event also offered meaningful opportunities for new Policy Council members to connect, collaborate, and engage with Head Start staff, strengthening communication, leadership, and unity across the program.