Armando Molina, Principal of Dr. Leo G. Cigarroa High School has been selected to represent the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals (TASSP) as the Region One Outstanding Principal of the Year. TASSP recognizes outstanding principals and assistant principals from the 20 Region Education Service Centers in the State of Texas.
School administrators are nominated and chosen by their peers within their regions. Nominations are based upon exemplary performance and outstanding leadership. As the Region One winner, Molina is eligible to compete for the state title of Texas Principal of the Year.
Growing up in Rio Bravo, Texas, he was raised by his late father Ricardo Molina, former United ISD Board Member for 26 years, and mother Teodora Isabel Fox with his siblings Nino, Ricky, and Melissa. He and his wife, Michelle Molina, are the parents of Amanda Rae, Zoe Sky, and Xander Fox Molina.
After graduating from J.B. Alexander High School in 1997, he received an Associate Degree in Science from Laredo College in 1999, followed by a Bachelor of Arts degree from TAMIU in 2002. He received a Master of Science in Education degree in 2008 and is currently undertaking preparation hours towards the Superintendent Certificate Program. He was recently inducted as J. B. Alexander High School Bulldog Legend.
Molina initiated his career as a speech teacher and coach at Dr. Leonides G. Cigarroa High School (CHS) where he coached football, basketball, track, powerlifting and tennis. He later moved into the role of an administrator, first serving seven years as an Assistant Principal at Dr. Joaquin G. Cigarroa Middle School (CMS) for three years and CHS for four years. For the past seven years, he has served in the capacity of a secondary school Principal. He proudly fulfilled his role at Francisco S. Lara Academy for three years; and recently, he was the Principal of CMS.
Under his educational leadership CMS met “Recognized” status through the Texas Education Agency accountability system for the first time. He was selected to serve as the Assistant Regional Coordinator to represent the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals educational organization.
Located in South Texas on the United States/Mexico border, Region One ESC serves 38 school districts and 10 charter school systems in the eight county areas of Brooks County, Cameron County, Hidalgo County, Jim Hogg County, Starr County, Webb County, Willacy County, and Zapata County.
Each of the region winners will be recognized during the Josten’s Night of the Stars Awards Dinner. Each will be presented with an award and recognized in a commemorative book entitled Texas Principals, Texas Heroes.