Assistant Program Directors
Nora Munoz is the Assistant Program Director for Programmatic Services. Her goal is to ensure the delivery of high-quality services to the children and families of the Hidalgo County Head Start Program. To achieve this goal, her number one priority is to provide direction and leadership to the departments that provide direct services to the Head Start children and families and offer guidance and support to the administrative team, campuses, and our community.
She graduated from New Mexico Highlands University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and from the University of Texas-Pan American with a master’s degree in early childhood education. Ms. Munoz taught second grade at Santa Maria ISD and kindergarten at Weslaco ISD before her employment with the Hidalgo County Head Start Program. She is a state-certified teacher for PreK through sixth grade with a bilingual endorsement. Her work experience includes working in the retail business as a store manager and with the Hidalgo County Clerk’s Office and Planning Department.
She has been with the Hidalgo County Head Start Program for thirty-three (33) years. Ten (10) years as the Education Services Director responsible for oversight of the implementation of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment and the last twenty-three (23) as the Assistant Program Director for Programmatic Services supervising and providing direction to the Education Services Department, Staff Development Department, Transition/Community Partnerships Department and the Mental Health and Disability Departments. She served as a Federal Review team member on numerous Federal Reviews under the direction of the Head Start Regional Office and later as a contractor with DANYA. Ms. Munoz also served as a South Texas Community College Childcare and Development Advisory Committee member.
She feels blessed to be part of Head Start, because she is surrounded by a wonderful group of people that are committed to the children, families, staff, and community.
Nereyda Cantu is a dedicated educator and accomplished professional with over 25 years of experience in early childhood education. She is also a proud mother of three wonderful children: Alek, who is currently a student at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA); Andrea, a junior at Palmview High School in La Joya; and Andrik, a seventh-grade student at Memorial Middle School in La Joya. They are her greatest joy and motivation, that drive her to create a better future for all children through her work. Ms Cantu's role as a mother is the most important and fulfilling responsibility, guiding every aspect of her personal and professional life.
Her academic journey includes earning a Bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a specialization in Early Childhood, a Master's degree in Education-Counseling and Guidance, and a Doctorate degree in Educational Leadership from Texas A&M University in Kingsville. This strong educational foundation has enabled her to make a significant impact in her field.
Her career has always been driven by a passion for education and a deep commitment to fostering the growth and development of young children. Through her work with the Hidalgo County Head Start Program, she can positively influence the lives of many families in our community, continuing her legacy of dedication and service.
In addition to her work in early childhood education, she is also an entrepreneur, proudly owning and managing several businesses. In her current role, she serves as the Assistant Program Director for Operations with the Hidalgo County Head Start Program and she is committed to ensuring that young children receive the essential support and education they need to thrive.
Elma Carrera is the Assistant Program Director for Fiscal Operations and Chief Financial Officer with Hidalgo County Head Start Program. Before joining this amazing Program in 2004 as the Finance Director, she was employed with Hidalgo County as an Internal Auditor. Her auditing experience positioned and prepared her for this challenging role. Developing and implementing internal control procedures for the Head Start Program’s Finance Department is her focus and continues today. Every year, the Program undergoes a Financial Audit and a Single Audit. The audits cover all processes including payroll, accounts payable, federal reporting, cash management, cash drawdowns, fixed assets, quarterly reports and so much more. Head Start has been able to secure over 14 consecutive years of Unqualified Independent Auditors Reports/Opinions, meaning that the Program’s Financial Reports are appropriately presented without any identified exceptions and in compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
She graduated from the University of Texas-Pan American, Edinburg, Texas, with a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Accounting. As Assistant Program Director for Fiscal Operations, she also oversees the Food and Nutrition Program and the Family Services Department responsible for ERSEA (Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance) and Parent Engagement.
She feels blessed to work alongside great leaders, great staff, and a great Program that changes the lives of so many families and children most in need.
In her spare time, she enjoys traveling with her loving family and her favorite country music singer is the one and only, George Strait! Thank you Head Start!
Marissa Reyes is the Assistant Program Director for Human Resources. The human resources (HR) department for Head Start programs is responsible for managing all aspects of the human capital in a program. This includes recruiting, hiring, training, and evaluating staff. HR also helps to create a positive organizational culture.With over 16 years of experience in Head Start, Ms. Reyes is a results-focused leader who, with a strong team, delivers HR processes that help the Hidalgo County Head Start Program harness the full power of one of their valuable ass
ets - their people. She is dedicated to creating a strong positive culture that promotes continuous growth by empowering and motivating employees to realize their full potential and bring their best to the job.
Ms. Reyes graduated from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources, and a Master’s degree in Education with a concentration in Educational Administration. Her educational background has enabled her to be successful in her 7+ roles within the Head Start Program.
Ms. Reyes loves her current role within the organization as it often brings forth a new set or inquiries, employee interactions, and organizational demands – all requiring a unique blend of problem-solving skills, empathy, and strategic thinking to complete. The profession thrives on the intricacies of problem-solving, transforming each challenge into an opportunity for growth and contributing to an atmosphere where adaptability and continuous development are paramount.
To accomplish our program vision of improving the well-being of children, empowering families and strengthening communities, our focus is on promoting organizational and staff wellness. When Head Start programs focus on staff well-being, staff are better able to provide high quality education and comprehensive services to children and families.
