Israel G. Quintanilla

Raymondville native Israel G. Quintanilla joined the South Texas ISD (STISD) board in November 2011, bringing with him over two decades of experience in the field of education. 

His interest in STISD started when he began his educational career at Lasara ISD as a teacher. He quickly learned that some of the students within the district attended STISD’s Half-Day Career & Technology Program, while others chose to leave the district and enroll to one of the STISD schools instead. 

Being the mindful educator that he is, Quintanilla thought it best to familiarize himself with the district that interested students and families within the district he served. He was intrigued with all of its offerings, and decided to actively pursue the district by joining the STISD board for the betterment of all. 

Quintanilla is the district principal at Lasara ISD. Prior to serving as district principal, he taught 6th-8th-grade mathematics for 26 years. 

Quintanilla holds a masters in educational administration from the University of Texas-Pan American, now The University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley. 

He and his wife, Hortencia, have one daughter, Anissa, and are all very active within their church. 

Quintanilla is proud to serve as a board member for a district that truly believes in the power of teamwork. “It is not by accident that the district is consistently ranked among the best in the state and the nation, and that is because of the quality stakeholders: administration, staff, students, parents and communities, working together and going beyond what is expected of them. I hope that the district will maintain and exceed its current academic standings in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas and in the nation, and I plan on staying on the board to continue to see those successes.”