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Hello, and welcome to English class!
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!
Teaching Style:
I'm firm but fair. As you can see from this Web site, I try my best to thoroughly inform students about expectations and set them up for success. I am one of those teachers who enforces policies and school rules. That being said, I find that most of my students are quite cooperative, fascinating human beings, thus making my classroom a comfortable place in which we learn--but also laugh!
Mission for the Class:
I seek to foster intellectual curiosity and promote learning as 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.
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 World Trade Center tragedy that happened only days before, I realized that I wasn’t 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." September 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 September 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. In some countries young women risk their safety in order to get an education, and women who are caught teaching are punished. Therefore, I am blessed to be an educated American woman, and I am proud to serve the greatest country in the world by helping to educate young men and women alike.
What does Mrs. Garcia do for fun? (Besides READING, of course!)
(Disclaimer: The following info. is merely factual and is not intended to imply that I am cool in any way. We all know that the laws of the universe prevent teachers from being cool.)
Poetry: My poetry has appeared or is forthcoming in literary journals both online and in print, such as Mezzo Cammin, Willow Review, The Sow's Ear Poetry Review, Soundings East, The Ledge, Poetry Midwest, and The Small Pond Magazine of Literature.
Karate: I study karate because this martial art requires discipline that not only helps me maintain a healthy body, mind, and spirit, but it also helps me set goals and reach beyond my personal limitations. In May 2009 I earned a black belt in karate, and I train year-round.
Film: I love watching movies from every decade in nearly all genres. 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, Scrubs, and The Tudors. 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.
Games: I love to play Scrabble, backgammon, and Guitar Hero (but I haven't made it to “Expert” level yet.)
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. I used to play the piano, and I taught piano a long time ago. However, I haven’t played recently. I’m 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"
Classic Rock and Metal (Led Zeppelin, Def Leppard, Van Halen, Guns 'N Roses, Jimi Hendrix, Living Colour, Rolling Stones, Beatles)
Indie/Alternative Rock (Cage the Elephant, Kaiser Chiefs, 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, Run DMC, Sugar Hill Gang. Hey! What's wrong with old school?)
Latin (Afro-Cuban jazz, Brazillian jazz, old Herb Alpert)
World Groove Music (African, Asian, Arabic)
Classical (Mozart, Bach, Debussy, Chopin)
Country (only Lyle Lovett & Dwight Yokam)
Thank you for taking a few minutes to get to know me.
I look forward to getting to know you better this year as well!
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