Hello!

I feel it's important for me to get to know my students, understand them as human beings, and find out what makes them tick. Some students think I haven't even heard of the stuff they like. In reality, we like some of the same things. (I live on Earth!) Don't get me wrong; I don't claim to be cool, but I don't live in a cave. In case you're wondering, here is a little bit about your teacher. I look forward to getting to know you too!

Where did Mrs. Garcia go to school?
After I graduated from Cheshire High School, I moved on to earn a BA in English from Fairfield University. I had a double major in English and Religious Studies, and I minored in Art History. After seven years in the business world, I decided to change careers. I earned a Masters in Education from University of Bridgeport. In the summer of 2006 I spent an extremely illuminating July as a fellow of the Connecticut Writing Project Invitational Summer Institute at Fairfield University. It reminded me how much I love being a student.

How long has Mrs. Garcia been teaching at Trumbull High School? Where else has she worked?
The 2009-2010 school year is my seventh year at THS. Before that, I worked as a teaching intern at Central High School in Bridgeport, as well as John Winthrop School. Teaching is my second career. After a seven-year career in business (Sales and Marketing), I decided to make a change. I'm glad I did!

Why did you leave business to become a teacher?
Sometimes students ask me, If you were in business, why did you become a teacher? (They make the "yucky medicine face" as they say the word teacher.) I love writing and literature, but there are a few other factors--happy and sad--that played a part in my decision.

In part, my decision to become a teacher was influenced by the fact that I've had great mentors, both at school and at work. Their belief in me has had a bigger impact on my life than they realize. Sometimes they believed in me more than I believed in myself. I hope that over the years I can make positive contributions to students' lives too.

My decision to teach was also influenced by somber events. It was mid-September, 2001, and I was sitting in my office chair, staring numbly at an American flag screen saver. Business had slowed down. As I thought about the 9/11 tragedy that happened only days before, I realized that I wasnt afraid of dying I was afraid of dying without having done anything meaningful with my life, something where I could give of myself, something I believe in, something that helps people. I thought about all the times that I had said to myself, Someday I would like to be an English teacher. 9/11 was a jolting reminder that life is short, and I said to myself, Someday is today. Although I was a little scared about suddenly changing careers, by the end of September I had applied to graduate school and began my journey toward the classroom. I would like to think that the people who lost their lives on 9/11 did not die in vain. Their tragedy inspired me to make a big change in my life. The impact that I have is so small in comparison to such a tragedy; however, it is what I can contribute to society.

What does Mrs. Garcia do for fun? (Disclaimer: The following information is merely factual and should not be interpreted as a claim that Garcia is "cool" in any way.)

Poetry: My poetry has appeared literary journals either online or in print, such as Mezzo Cammin, Poetry Midwest, The Sow's Ear Poetry Review, Soundings East, The Ledge, The Small Pond Magazine of Literature, Twilight Ending, and Cellar Roots. Every now and then I attend poetry readings.

Hobbies: In May 2009 I earned a black belt in karate, and I train year-round. I enjoy creative writing, reading, listening to all kinds of music, and watching movies from every decade. You'll probably spot me at the movie theater. Favorite TV shows lately include Mad Men, 30 Rock, The Office, 24, Lost, House, Heroes, South Park, Desperate Housewives, The Whitest Kids U Know, Chuck, and Scrubs. I also enjoy watching old episodes of Miami Vice. (Hey, you can take the girl out of the '80s, but you can't take the '80s out of the girl.) I have very little time to watch TV, but thanks to TiVo, hopefully I won't fall too far behind in my pop culture. I play a mean game of Scrabble or backgammon.

Music: When I get to know my students, I find that I have a lot in common with them in one particular area--music! I listen to just about everything. Im a music fiend! I used to play the piano, and I taught piano a long time ago. However, I havent played recently. Im more into creative writing now. Here is what I listen to. Although the lines between sub-categories are blurry, I've categorized my favorites the best I could!

XM Radio Stations: Mostly Channel 47 "Ethel" (Kaiser Chiefs, Rock Kills Kid, Louis XIV)
Classic Rock and Metal (Led Zeppelin, Def Leppard, Van Halen, Guns 'N Roses, Jimi Hendrix, Living Colour, Rolling Stones, Beatles)
Alternative Rock (Stone Temple Pilots, Soundgarden)
Alternative Metal (Alice in Chains, Rage Against the Machine)
80's (Any 80's Classic Pop, New Wave, or Hip-Hop, i.e. Michael Jackson, INXS, Billy Idol, 80's Madonna, Erasure, Duran Duran)
Punk Rock (Offspring, No Doubt)
Punk Pop, Britpop, and Indie (Franz Ferdinand, The Hives, Green Day)
Modern Rock (Wolfmother, Audioslave, Black Crowes, The Darkness, Foo Fighters, Live, New Radicals, Nirvana, Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers)
Soul, Funk, R&B, Motown (any Motown, Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Red Hot Chili Peppers)
Blues (Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Jimmy Reed, Lightin' Hopkins, Howlin' Wolf, Mississippi John Hurt)
Trip-Hop (Emiliana Torrini)
Fado (Mariza)
Rockabilly (BR549, Reverend Horton Heat, Chris Isaak)
Techno/Industrial (Chemical Brothers, Crystal Method, Moby, Propellerheads, Rammstein, Underworld)
Vocals, Jazz, Swing, & Big Band (Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, Stan Getz, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Chick Corea)
Rap (Beastie Boys. Hey! What's wrong with old school?)
Latin (Afro-Cuban jazz, Brazillian jazz, old Herb Alpert)
Classical (Mozart, Bach, Debussy, Chopin)
Country (only Lyle Lovett & Dwight Yokam)

Mission for the Class: I seek to foster intellectual curiosity and promote the idea that learning is a lifelong process. I seek to equip students with learning strategies that will serve them well not only today, but also on life's journey as they further develop and refine their literacy skills in an increasingly global society. I strive to create a classroom community that celebrates diversity a place where every student belongs and is free to learn.