My name is Michael Garcia. I have been an Idaho native for over a decade. I was the first in my family to graduate with a Bachelor's Degree. My quest to become a teacher began when I was a high school senior. Up to that point, I was a tutor to some of my fellow students, which was something that I enjoyed doing. One day, I just thought to myself: why not do this on a larger scale? Once I entered the College of Idaho in the year 2010, my heart was set on becoming a teacher, and I never lost sight of that goal. In 2015, I graduated with my Bachelor's in Elementary Education.
I have spent a year as a student teacher at Van Buren Elementary School in Caldwell, ID,, then I was hired on for my first year of teaching at Lincoln Elementary School in the 5th Grade and I have loved every minute of it. My goal as a teacher is to educate, of course, but that is not all. As I encounter new faces within my classroom, I want my students to know that I am more than just a person talking in the front of the room. I want to show them through my words and actions that I care about them, about their success, and that I want to know them as individuals. It is my belief that if teachers take the time to build that trust with their students, the bonds that result from it can have far-reaching effects both in and out of the classroom. I try to make every moment I spend with my students count because I believe that there is always a chance that there is at least one student in whose life you could be the greatest, and possibly the only, influence to them.
As a person, I always try to present myself as likable and approachable. I want to be able to share who I am as a person, but I always want to take the time to know who others are and create lasting relationships with both my students and my fellow faculty members. As I get to know a person more, my personality begins to show more of itself, such as certain character traits, my sense of humor, my taste in music, etc. My other desire as an educator is to show myself to others as a team player, someone invested within the school community in every possible aspect.