The United Independent School District is proud to announce the promotion of Mrs. Wendy Nuñez as the new principal of Dr. Henry Cuellar Elementary.
Mrs. Nuñez brings more than 20 years of commitment to student success and educational excellence to her new leadership role. Most recently, she served as Assistant Principal at Freedom Elementary from August 2022 to June 2025, where she worked alongside faculty and staff to build a tradition of excellence.
During her time at Freedom Elementary, Mrs. Nuñez was recognized as the United CARES Champion in October 2024 for her dedication to kindness, respect, and service. Her dedication to students, parents, and faculty has been consistently recognized throughout her career. In the 2017-2018 school year, she was recognized at Veterans Memorial Elementary, receiving both the Teacher of the Year nomination and the Aplauso Award for outstanding contributions. Additionally, in the 2014-2015 school year, she was J.W. Arndt Elementary’s Golden Apple nominee, reflecting her ongoing commitment to educational excellence.
Mrs. Nuñez’s extensive experience includes serving as a dyslexia and reading intervention teacher, first grade teacher, and campus leader at multiple schools, including Veterans Memorial Elementary, J.W. Arndt Elementary, Prada Elementary, and Henry Cuellar Elementary.
Her many roles and responsibilities have demonstrated her deep commitment to student achievement and campus operations. These include serving as a STAAR Campus Testing Coordinator, Section 504 Coordinator, ARD Administrator, Attendance Administrator, T-TESS Evaluator, and Summer School Principal for Freedom and Bonnie Elementary, and also more recently for Cuellar and Killam Elementary.
Her career trajectory demonstrates her deep commitment to every facet of student achievement and campus operations.
Mrs. Nuñez earned a Master’s Degree in Education with a major in Reading and a minor in Bilingual Education from Texas A&M International University. She is certified as a Principal EC-12, Master Reading Teacher, Reading Specialist, Certified Academic Language Practitioner (CALP), and holds multiple additional certifications, including T-TESS, T-PESS, DIBREP, and Reading Academies.
“This role represents a heartfelt return home to my beloved Cuellar community. It is a place that holds a special place in my heart. It means a great deal to me to return to lead the school where my journey began 23 years ago,” said Mrs. Nuñez.
“I am honored to step in as the proud instructional leader of Dr. Henry Cuellar Elementary, and I promise to work tirelessly alongside our incredible Cuellar faculty and staff to prepare every mighty Cuellar Colt to confidently step into their future roles as Laredo’s next generation of leaders. Our pride runs deep, and our commitment to excellence is unstoppable.”
As principal, Mrs. Nuñez’s goals include fostering a school culture rooted in respect, inclusivity, and academic rigor. She plans to advance instructional excellence by supporting teachers with resources and professional development, and ensuring every student feels seen, heard, and empowered to reach their fullest potential. She is also dedicated to strengthening family and community partnerships, recognizing the vital role they play in student success and well-being.
Mrs. Nuñez reflected on her professional journey, acknowledging the profound impact of those who guided her. “I want to thank UISD’s Board of Trustees and Dr. Gerardo Cruz for this amazing opportunity. I also want to thank the principals in my professional journey who have helped me along the way. From my very first principal, Mrs. Cordelia Orengo, who first hired me 23 years ago, setting the foundation for my career, to Mrs. Luz Serna-Ramirez, Veterans Memorial Principal, who afforded me invaluable opportunities that enabled me to complete my administrative degree. I also want to thank Mrs. Stephanie Silva-Garcia, who three years ago took a chance on me and graciously opened the doors at Freedom Elementary, allowing me the privilege of serving as her assistant principal and immersing myself in the distinguished “Freedom Way”.
Mrs. Nuñez has been married for 26 years to Mr. Jaime F. Nuñez. They have two wonderful daughters: Tori, who is currently a Bulldog senior at Alexander High School, and Ximena, who is making her mark as Regional Advisor at TAMIU. Beyond her dedicated professional life, Mrs. Nuñez embraces a world of personal joys. An avid reader, she finds inspiration in participating in a book club that nurtures her love of literature. She also deeply cherishes moments spent with her family at the beach, finding peace and happiness by the sea. Through it all, her steadfast Catholic faith remains a significant guiding force, providing a strong and loving foundation for her family’s life.
United ISD congratulates Mrs. Nuñez on this well-deserved promotion and looks forward to the continued success of Dr. Henry Cuellar Elementary under her leadership.
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