Vanguard Academy

GEAr UP

Mozart

Meet your GEAR UP Coordinator Mrs. Aguilar

Beethoven

Meet your GEAR UP Coordinator Mrs. Flores

Rembrandt

Meet your GEAR UP Coordinator Mr. Ferrer

Mrs. Aguilar has been with Vanguard Academy since 2015 where she started out as a 6th-grade Math teacher and is currently Mozart's GEAR UP School Site Coordinator. She holds her Master's in Business Administration, is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Educational Leadership, and believes in a growth mindset.

Whatever you learn can never be taken away. - Mrs. Aguilar

My name is Maricruz Flores, GEAR UP Coordinator at Vanguard Academy. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and my Master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Texas Pan American. I also received my Behavior Strategist Certificate from Region One in 2009. I served as an elementary school teacher for 3 years and a school counselor in both secondary and elementary for 17 years at La Joya ISD before joining the Vanguard family.

I believe it is our responsibility to use our talents and skills to guide, educate and prepare our future generations.

Proverbs 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go,

[a]And when he is old he will not depart from it.

Mr. Ferrer joined the Vanguard Academy family on July 2022 and is Rembrandt's current GEAR UP Site Coordinator. He earned his Master's Degree in Educational/Instructional Technology from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and Bachelor's Degree from the University of Texas Pan-American. Mr. Ferrer has over 10 years as an educator that range from being an elementary GT teacher, middle school college and career readiness teacher, College Readiness Coordinator for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, and now GEAR UP Coordinator.

What is GEAR UP?

GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is a federal initiative designed to increase the number of students who are prepared to enter and excel in post-secondary education (after high school).
Texas GEAR UP is focused on building a college-going culture that inspires students, families, and community members in every corner of the state.
The GEAR UP team will enhance the relationships with our Vanguard Community to promote and facilitate college/career readiness in an innovative way by providing services and support that foster learning and equity to all.

Que es gear up?

GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) es una iniciativa federal diseñada para aumentar el número de estudiantes que están preparados para entrar y sobresalir en la educación postsecundaria.
Texas GEAR UP se centra en la construcción de una cultura de ir a la universidad que inspire a estudiantes, familias y miembros de la comunidad en cada rincón del estado.
El equipo de GEAR UP mejorará las relaciones con nuestra comunidad de Vanguard para promover y facilitar la preparación para la universidad / carrera profesional de manera innovadora al brindar servicios y apoyo que fomenten el aprendizaje y la igualdad para todos.

2023-2024 GEAR UP Classes of:

2024 – 12th Graders 2028 – 8th Graders

2025 – 11th Graders 2029 – 7th Graders

2026 – 10th Graders 2030 –6thGraders

2027 – 9th Graders 2031 – 5th Graders

Note: For the 2023-2024 School Year, GEAR UP will be serving 5th to 12th grade.

Mozart GEAR UP Google Classroom