Mrs.Garcia beams when she talks about teaching and the opportunity to help students…. “I absolutely love seeing students excited about learning! It is so encouraging when a student comes back to visit and share how my class helped them be prepared for high school!” Mrs. Garcia is serves an Honor Society sponsor. She enjoys getting to know students through service projects and activities. “Seeing students give back is always very encouraging.” Mrs. Garcia believes that a “positive learning environment” contributes to any and every students’ learning at a high level.

 One of the driving factors for Mrs. Garcia’s success  in the classroom is meaningful professional learning. “The opportunity to collaborate with other teachers and receive applicable professional learning has been one of the many factors which have contributed to my success.” When asked what advice she would share with young  teachers…” Stay current, continue to learn, stay motivated, persevere and learn from great teachers!”

My best days in the classroom are when...  I get to see the “ah-ha” moments from my students!  It is fun to use student-led learning activities, and see that they are smiling and having fun while learning.

Who or what inspired you to become a teacher or to work in education?  My college history and political science professors really instilled in me a love of history and the workings of our government!  I just found my true love of the content!  I think I always felt a draw to teaching and just felt it was a calling!

What profession other than your own would you most like to attempt?  I once considered going into politics; however, I just couldn’t deny my draw to teaching.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time:

I really enjoy reading and love to spend time in the summer reading a good book by the pool or the ocean!  I also enjoy spending time my family and friends.  My husband and I travel to Oregon each summer and truly enjoy the cool weather of the west coast!  I also enjoy spending time our 2 puppies Laney and Ellie.

What is one thing about you that would likely surprise your students?

This year I completed my first triathlon!  I cannot convey how truly scared I was to swim and bike in a competition with other true athletes!  I have never considered myself a competitive athlete, and I was very scared about competing with athletes and then very relieved that I did it!

Is there anything else you'd like to share about your career or yourself?  I am very excited and honored to represent Thomas County Middle School as Teacher of the Year.

Congratulations Mrs. Garcia ….TCMS 2014-15 Teacher of The Year!