For almost 25 years, Shirley Garcia’s passion has been working as an educator in multiple settings as a teacher, central office administrator, principal and specialist. Much of this time was spent working in correctional education with adjudicated juveniles, and later, with adults. 
What all of these experiences provided was an opportunity to understand that no matter the circumstances, without the hope of education, lives cannot be changed. Whether teaching, working on issues of diversity and equity, providing meaningful instruction in an environment conducive to teaching and learning, with caring adults, the key to effecting sustained improvement in the lives of others can only be realized through successful educational interventions.
Ms. Garcia is excited to join LSJA, working with emerging adults in the SCCIP program.  She views this opportunity as a continuation of her passion to make a difference in the lives of young people.
Though Ms. Garcia attended colleges/universities in Texas (B.A., University of Texas/Arlington; M.Ed., Texas A&M/Commerce) most of her life experiences were lived in Iowa and Ohio. However, notwithstanding that fact, she considers herself a “died in the wool” Texan!