Principal
Maria Knosel, Principal of RYSS Brownsville
Maria A. Knosel is a dedicated educational leader with nearly four decades of experience serving students, families, and school communities. She currently serves as Principal of RYSS Academy and RYSS Early College High School in Brownsville, where she has led the campus since 2015. Under her leadership, RYSS Academy has consistently remained an A-rated campus and has earned recognition as a National Blue Ribbon School, a Gold Standard School in the state of Texas, an A Honor Roll School in Texas. Year after year, the campus has also earned all-state distinctions, reflecting a sustained commitment to academic excellence and student achievement. These accomplishments, along with the school’s success in moving from an Improvement Required accountability rating to Meeting Standard and earning distinction designations in all areas.
Before becoming principal, Maria served as an Assistant Principal at Paredes Elementary and Vermillion Elementary, where she supported teacher development, monitored student progress, and coordinated interventions, tutorials, and summer school programs. She began her career as a bilingual elementary teacher, serving second and third grade students for 18 years. During that time, she earned recognition for excellence in instruction, classroom management, family engagement, and support for English learners, including recent immigrant students.
Maria holds a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from the University of Texas at Brownsville and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Pan American University, with minors in History and Bilingual/ESL. Her lifelong commitment to education is rooted in the belief that strong relationships, high expectations, and a deep understanding of student needs are essential to helping every child succeed.