Among the new faces at Eagle Point Elementary School this year is a new assistant principal. Mayte Garcia brings 17 years of experience as an educator and leader to this administrative position.
Ms. Garcia comes to Eagle Point from Sunset Lakes Elementary in Miramar, which she describes as a high performing “A” school similar to Eagle Point. She has worked with students in all elementary grades, as a kindergarten through third grade teacher and a resource coach for students in fourth and fifth grade. She also held various leadership roles within the school including School Advisory Council chair, volunteer coordinator, partnership liaison, team leader, clubs sponsor, multicultural liaison, and Cambridge coordinator. In addition, Ms. Garcia served as acting assistant principal.
Although she loved her years as a classroom teacher, Ms. Garcia says she is looking forward to the greater impact she will have as an administrator. “As a classroom teacher, one has the ability to positively impact a room full of students year after year. As an educational leader, I am able to impact and influence a greater number of students and educators alike creating a positive change in education.”
Ms. Garcia intends to work collaboratively with Principal de Zayas and Assistant Principal Dailey to help make Eagle Point the number one school in Broward County and beyond. “I hope to encourage teachers to empower each other with ideas that will help cultivate student enthusiasm for becoming lifelong leaders and learners. I will engage in professional conversations with teachers about their teaching practices and work with them to help raise the bar for all learners.”
Cultivating community relationships is also on her list of priorities. “I plan to build strong positive relationships with students, staff and the community. Relationships are the key to success. They help us grow, give us a sense of belonging, and make us feel safe. It is important that a school foster partnerships with parents and the community to better assist students attain academic success and social emotional well-being.”
Ms. Garcia says she is looking forward to the challenge of leading a school of over 1,400 students and 100 staff members. “One of my goals is to remain visible and use a hands-on approach to build relationships with all stakeholders – students, families, community and staff. I hope to spread my passion for education to all those I encounter so together we can continue to make ‘Great Things Happen at EPE.’”