Margarita Garcia: San Juan

Margarita Garcia of San Juan was sworn in to the STISD board of directors in November of 2014. 

Garcia has learned much about the district since taking oath that year – both through her capacity as a board member and as the parent of a middle school student within the district.

Garcia’s educational background is in Chemical Engineering, and her professional history is diverse. She worked at ConAgra for 12 years, serving as assistant manager in her last role with the company. She also worked for one year as a receptionist of the engineering department at IBM of Mexico, and she had an opportunity to teach basic English language to small children in Monterrey, Mexico. 

Although she is not currently working, Garcia stays busy through service. Aside from her service to the STISD board, she also commits herself to her church community, assisting with activities like the annual Jamaica Fall Festival. Garcia and her family also enjoy helping those within the community who are less fortunate or who are going through rough times. One way through which they do this is by coming together to cook meals for them. As further evidence of her belief in the importance of education, Garcia participated in the PSJA parent involvement program for 13 years. 

Garcia is married to Pedro (Pete) Garcia, and she has two children, Oscar, who is 20, and Ana, who is currently 14. Ana is currently an eighth-grader at STISD’s South Texas Preparatory Academy (STPA), and she plans to attend STISD’s South Texas Business, Education & Technology Academy (BETA) campus next school year. Garcia also has two step-children – Pedro, Jr., and Jessica – who attended STISD’s The Science Academy of South Texas (Science Academy) and BETA, respectively.  

Service on the STISD board is of high importance to Garcia. She wants to ensure that our kids within the Rio Grande Valley are educated well and fairly and that the education they receive allows them to lead successful lives. 

Garcia is proud of the quality education given in this district, and she believes the quality of the education has led to the prestige that the district currently holds.

In reflecting on the future of the district, she shares that she hopes “the district keeps its good prestige and quality of education throughout the coming years and also be recognized as the best of the nation.” Further, she hopes to see the board members continue to “work together with the same goal – the best education for all children – in mind.” As the Rio Grande Valley grows in population, she wants to see the district expand its facilities to serve the community needs without losing sight of the vision and mission.