Child of immigrants paying kindness forward, for 25 years…and counting
When Las Americás Middle School secretary Maria Garcia first came to the United States with her parents, she depended on the kindness of strangers to help her make her way in this country. Little did she know then that one day she would build a career out of returning the favor.
Garcia, who will celebrate her 25th anniversary with the district on Saturday, credits a social worker for steering her toward HISD and a life in education.
“My son was only a couple of months old at the time,” said Garcia. “I was really young, and one of my social workers asked me what I wanted to be. I said, ‘a teacher,’ so she told me about an opening as a tutor at the Pilgrim Academy.
Garcia was hired in 1988, and since then, she has also served as a teacher’s aide, a data entry clerk, and a SIMS coordinator at various campuses.
“I’ve really enjoyed all of the different job roles I’ve had over the years,” said Garcia, “because I get to know more parents and students.”
Garcia, who received a ceremonial key to the City of Galveston when she became a naturalized American citizen during a special Columbus Day ceremony held in 1984, said she finds the prospect of helping other children of migrants particularly gratifying.
“A lot of our kids are in need,” she explained, “and helping them locate resources really makes my day. There are so many different cultures and languages and customs. I get to learn more about the world.”
Many other HISD employees are also marking milestones this week—see if you know anyone on this list:
25 years
- Evangelina Alejandro, teacher, R. P. Harris ES
- Elaine Sam, plant operator, Construction and Facilities Services
20 years
- Darrell Burns, officer, Police Department
- Judy Reyes, teaching assistant, Helms ES
15 years
- Guadalupe Alvarez, teacher, Helms ES
- Yolanda Belloso, custodian, Longfellow ES
- Horacio Rodriguez, teacher, Chávez HS
10 years
- Olga Diaz, custodian, Construction & Facilities Services
- Sara Flores, attendant, Food Services
- Earl Gafford, bus driver, Transportation Services
- Bernadette Leos, secretary, HAIS
- Carolyn Nation, attendant, Food Services
- Ruth Robinson, teacher, Lamar HS
- Allison Sutton, clerk, Pin Oak MS
- Tiffany Wilcox, assistant principal, Gregory-Lincoln MS
5 years
- Juana De La Rosa, custodian, Waltrip HS
- Jacinda Fontenette, teacher, Anderson ES
- Margarita Garza, custodian, Yates HS
- Suella Gayle, teacher, McNamara ES
- Essie Belle Henry, crossing guard, Garden Villas ES
- Josalyn Hernandez, clerk, Oates ES
- Wilber King, teaching assistant, Kashmere Gardens ES
- Auketria Manor, team leader, Business Operations
- Ray Mendez, clerk, Hamilton MS
- Mollie Milliet, Archer, teacher, Davis HS
- Chigoziri Moses, teaching assistant, Washington HS
- Juan Munoz Jr., teaching assistant, Love ES
- Mayra Nieto, teacher, Dávila ES
- Miguel Orozco, teacher, Wharton ES
- Amelia Pace, attendant, Food Services
- Maria Partida, custodian, HSPVA
- Monica Peña Martinez, teacher, Westbury HS
- Diana Perez, teacher, Braeburn ES
- Tynisha Sanders, clerk, Transportation Services
- Doris Tindall-Ennis, secretary, Benefits
- Christina Valencia, teacher, Stevens ES
| Check back next Friday for more February Milestones – and if you know someone who should be featured in this space, let us know at info@houstonisd.org. Leave a comment below if you’d like to congratulate any of the above employees. |
