Do you believe being a member of an organization that helps others in need can help influence you as a person? Do you think second chances are important for personal growth? Can traveling outside the country benefit you in any way? Well, meet Doherty Memorial High School‘s own World History Survey teacher, Mr. Garcia! If you’re curious about what he has to say, follow along as he shares his opinions on the new DMHS building and reflects on his 24+ years of teaching experience.

Mr. Garcia’s Upbringing…

Q: Tell me about your background.

I was born in Worcester and lived on Russell Street between Pleasant and Austin Street but attended the Millbury public school system. I would be bounced back from my mom’s house in Millbury and my dad’s house in Worcester, eventually just living with my dad when I was 16. My ethnicity is mixed with English, Spanish, and Comanche tribe Native American, but my father refers to us as “Chicano” or Mexican decent. Despite being yelled at in Spanish as a child in my family, I never learned the language outside of Spanish classes in high school and college. I went to Framingham State College hoping to be an art student and ended up graduating with degree in Geography with a minor in Art. I was the first to go to college on my mother’s side of the family and one of the first to graduate from college on my father’s side. My support systems for school generally came from my friends that all planned on going to college at a young age. I never thought to much about it but all my friends were doing it. Very grateful for that. – Mr. Garcia.

Q: Do you own a pet? If so, what is their name and how has your pet impacted your life. Share a bit about them.

I don’t. I’m looking for less responsibility in my life at this point. – Mr. Garcia.

Q: Did you join any extracurriculars when you were younger? Any after school clubs, organizations, programs, or sports in the past?

I played soccer for Millbury High School but I was never too active in school outside of that and the art department. – Mr. Garcia. 

Q: Do you have any notable achievements or awards that you’ve received in the past?

I have been very fortunate to feel respected and valued by the staff and students with my time here [at DMHS]. – Mr. Garcia.

Q: What is your most favorite place you’ve ever been to? Have you traveled out of the country? What’s your favorite restaurant or hang out location?

The next place I never been to. Travel as much as you can… – Mr. Garcia.

Q: What were some challenges you had to overcome during High School? Any advice to Highlander’s?

I tell my students a few things constantly over the year. The only way to get better is repetition (practice), be nice, and you have to fight for what is fair. Being a teenager is a tough age and no one would ever wants to do it again once you get through it, try to be easy on others and remember everyone is making it up as they go along. Surround yourself with people who you think are doing their best to be a good person. – Mr. Garcia.

Q: Would you like to share a few words about a loved one? Do they inspire, motivate, or offer valuable lessons to you?

You need loved ones to make it through. – Mr. Garcia.

Q: What’s something you feel nostalgic about? Is there anything you feel very grateful towards?

I’m grateful for the second and third chances I got in life. The things that didn’t go my way at first, made me a better person. – Mr. Garcia.

Mr. Garcia’s Time Here at DMHS

Q: What are your thoughts on Doherty Memorial High School? Do you feel supported or heard at all? Are there any improvements needed? What are you looking forward to?

I’m still working on adjusting to this new building and I miss the old building as crazy as that sounds. This school is at a place I could never have imagined in terms of technology, cleanliness, safety, and culture. – Mr. Garcia.

Q: Do you have any favorite subjects, teachers, star Highlanders or other staff members here at DMHS? If so, tell me a bit about them!

There is a lot of great, passionate, young teachers that consistently impress me with their use of technology and modern practices of education. One of favorites is Mr. Razzaq. I also work with the best team of teachers anyone could ask for. I’m convinced I could happily work anywhere, as long as I have Mr. Simmarano, Ms. Perez, Mr. Pineo, Ms. Giannakis, Mr. Halfmann, and Ms. Bunker working there with me too. – Mr. Garcia.

Q: What inspires you? Do you have any role models you look up to?

My family and how they faced adversity and kept fighting to make a better life. I have had a few teachers in my life that led me to my approach, with only a few that were part of my formal education, but there are teachers everywhere. Everyone is a teacher in some way if you pay attention. Some show you how to do it, with most showing you what to try not to do. In the end, we are all the same people, where we have to make a lot of mistakes but we get better. – Mr. Garcia.

Q: Do you have any goals for the future? Do you have something in mind to do other than teaching at the moment? Where do you see yourself in your teaching career in the next 5-10 years?

I like to keep what’s working, modify what could be better, and avoid what doesn’t work. I love the phrase “work smarter, not just harder.” Hopefully I stay here at Doherty Memorial High School until I retire. I am very excited to be working under the leadership of Mr. Staley as a principal. – Mr. Garcia.

Q: Do you have any work, community work, or internships, experiences you want to share with us?

I helped advise a club called the Doherty High Food Drive in the old building and I am a member of the Lions Club which is a community based, charity organization that gives a 100% of the money raised back to the community is some shape or form. – Mr. Garcia.

Gallery • 2 Photos

Mr. Garcia

Mr. Garcia promoting Food Drive [right].

Q: How do you motivate students who may be disengaged or uninterested in your subject? What strategies or tips are you willing to share? What makes an excellent educator? Are there any examples of how you handled a challenging situation in your classroom?

I’m a little theatrical but it’s making connections anyway you can to get people to care about you or the class. I go with being nice, but I do melt down when I don’t get what I think is reasonable. – Mr. Garcia.

Q: Do you believe you can reach success despite bad grades? How would you define a ‘star’ student in your classroom? Do you think it’ll be a more difficult experience than others with a good education? What role does having an education play on an individual’s future?

Yes, but it requires consistent hard work to dig you out of the problems we all find ourselves in. I have been lucky to see a lot of former students from my time at Doherty. Just ran into someone that is 37! You would be surprised how life can turn, even out, or take students to places where they never imagined. Experience will help everyone get where they want to go, effective education will help get you there faster. I have no idea where I would be if it wasn’t for free public education and the few people that believed in me but I know I wouldn’t be as happy. Most students in high school dream of money, fame or titles. The former students I talk to tell me the family they built is their proudest accomplishment. – Mr. Garcia.

Q: What are some of the most memorable school moments or events that have still stuck with you?

There are too many and my stories are too long. Ask one of my students. – Mr. Garcia.

Fun Facts!

Q: Do you have any tips on self care? What’s your daily routine like?

If something needs to get done, try to get it done as soon as you can. Work first, then play. Routines bring consistency but be willing to try new things. – Mr. Garcia.

Q: Do you have any values or morals you want to share?

I think if you work hard, jump on opportunity, and try your best to be a good person, it will probably take you to a better place. – Mr. Garcia. 

Q: What’s a quote you would like to share?

“Be the change you want to see in the world” is my favorite. – Mr. Garcia.

Q: What’s a fun or unique fact about you? Any zodiac signs, favorite colors or animals?

My zodiac is Sagittarius, my favorite color is black, and I think cats seem like they know what’s going on. – Mr. Garcia.

Q: What are your hot takes right now?

The deep divisions in our country our concerning but the art is still good. – Mr. Garcia.

Q: Do you have any secret or unknown talents? If so, please elaborate.

I think social media took our secrets and unknown talents into everyone’s phones whether that was our intention or not. – Mr. Garcia.

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?

I love music and try to listen to as much as I can. – Mr. Garcia. 

Q: Do you have any music recommendations?

The last concerts I saw was Eddie 9V, The New Mastersounds, and The Dip. Highly recommend the Worcester local music scene. There are a lot of talented people all over this city that you don’t have to pay a ton of money to see high level art or music. – Mr. Garcia.

His Impact at DMHS:

After hearing about what Mr. Garcia had to share, what life lessons do you think students can learn from his journey? How do you think community involvement, like Mr. Garcia’s work with the Lions Club, can benefit you as a person? And how do you believe advocating for fairness impacts the people around you? This interview not only shared Mr. Garcia’s personal experiences as a teacher, but also highlighted the importance of helping others and encouraging growth as individuals. Thank you for following along, and do not forget to click the comment button on the right-hand side to share your opinions and critiques on this matter! To read more articles, scroll down and click the ‘Teacher Spotlight’ tag in red! Tune in for more.

Contact Mr. Garcia!

• • Email: [email protected]