Francisco Garnica transformed from a lightning bolt to a patriot with his transition from assistant principal at Michael Krop Senior High School to American Senior High School.
Garnica was born in an island in the Carribean, San Andres. He arrived to the states a day before his 20th birthday and began working toward a degree at Miami Dade College where he met his wife of 23 years, Maria Martinez. Together they decided to move to California where Garnica attended Santa Fe Community College. After moving back to the sunshine state, Garnica also attended University of Florida and Florida International University to earn his bachelor's degree in mathematics.
After teaching in the Miami-Dade County Public School system for a handful of years and receiving his master's degree in mathematics education, Garnica and his wife moved to Boston where he planned to pursue a career in finance. He accepted jobs at Northeastern University and East Boston High School following his move, and instead of pursuing a graduate degree in finance, Garnica received another master's in educational leadership.
“My wife must have been a gypsy in a different life,” said Garnica with a smile, referring to his constant moving. “I like to start from scratch, as well. I like to look at things through a lens of change.”
Despite Garnica's changing address, his love for education has been consistent and his desire to create an efficient and thriving learning environment has been resolute.
After working in the Boston education system, Garnica was greeted by a turning point for his financial plans, a man by the name of Robert Case who created a program for inner city students to promote AP enrollment.
“That was the turning point for me to remain in education,” said Garnica. “He was the individual that said ‘hey, we need to try something different’ and I believed him.”
Garnica participated in the program Case founded and eventually found his way back to Florida, accepting a position at Michael Krop Senior High School where he worked for eight years. While at Krop, Garnica, an assistant principal, participated in the Turnaround Leaders program which enabled him to complete a semester as principal at American Senior High last school year from July through December. Upon completion of the program and Garnica's certificate, he was brought onboard to lead American High as official principal.
The new principal has already made some changes, particularly in master scheduling which have assigned leaders and instructors to key areas of student improvement. Continued changes will occur, but above all, Garnica is intent on focusing on empowering his faculty and letting his staff know that he is available and involved.
When asked what he would like to be remembered for as principal, without missing a beat Garnica answered, “That I cared. If you don't care, or you're not perceived as a person who is involved and is willing to give everything at an institution, then people won't follow along.”
For Garnica, caring includes the little details. A breakfast and luncheon was provided for teachers on their first day back at work, a friendly greeting from their new principal. For a good school to be called a great school, Garnica believes there needs to be a clear goal that can be communicated to faculty and staff, quality instructors, a safe learning environment, and knowledge shared, including teachers open to learning important life lessons from the very students they teach.
“I want better education for the students here and students in general,” said Garnica. “It has to happen with better instruction, better supervision, and more support for teachers and students.”