Dorothy D. Garza
Edcouch,TX
Summary
Dedicated educator and site director with extensive experience in designing integrated curricula and fostering community partnerships. Expertise in enhancing student engagement through movement-based learning and crisis intervention, while driving academic performance via innovative programs and collaborative initiatives.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Physical Education Teacher (EC–12th Grade)
Elgin Independent School District
Elgin, USA
08.2016 - 06.2019
- Developed and implemented integrated Physical Education curriculum aligning with state-level (TEA) academic intervention requirements, enhancing daily physical activities through literacy and core academic concepts.
- Cross-Curricular Curriculum Design: Developed an interdisciplinary PE curriculum incorporating core classroom subjects (math, reading, science, history) into physical activities to support campus-wide TEA academic performance goals.
- Academic Integration & Writing Initiatives: Established a mandatory 15-minute daily academic writing component within PE coursework, embedding weekly spelling words, math problems, and guided reflection.
- Collaborated with classroom teachers to design integrated lessons that connect physical education with core subjects. and campus administration to reinforce core subjects through movement-based learning, cross-curricular lesson planning, and campus-wide safety and behavioral intervention efforts.
- Mental Health & Wellness Education: Taught students the connection between physical movement and mental health, demonstrating how daily exercise reduces stress, regulates emotions, and enhances overall well-being.
- Anatomy & Kinesiology Unit ('Journey Inside the Body'): Designed an interactive human anatomy program utilizing student journals, visual media, and movement simulations to teach cardiovascular function, muscle engagement, and general organ systems.
- Executed a semester-long global-themed curriculum that engaged students in diverse cultural studies., 'Passport Program,' enabling students to explore seven continents through personal 'passports' that researched regional sports, cultural origins, traditional movement, and healthy nutrition.
- Campus Safety & Crisis De-escalation: Served on the campus safety committee to address severe behavioral health challenges; intervened and de-escalated critical situations to protect students, staff, and district property.
- Fitness Tracking & Community Engagement: Administered state-mandated FitnessGram evaluations; organized interactive parental involvement events and partnered with organizations like the American Heart Association to promote cardiovascular health.
Parent Support Specialist
Austin Independent School District
Austin, USA
01.2015 - 08.2016
- Provided comprehensive support and service coordination for district families, removing barriers to student learning by connecting households with vital community resources and building strong school-community partnerships.
- Enhanced parent-school engagement: Structured and facilitated regular 'Parent Coffees' to improve communication between families and administration about school expectations, community resources, and district initiatives.
- Led Parent Education Workshops: Organized and taught the 'Love & Logic' parenting curriculum, equipping parents with modern behavioral strategies to reduce household stress and foster healthy parent-child relationships.
- Established parent governance: Led creation and operation of functional PTA, training parent leaders to effectively manage meetings, event logistics, and community-wide educational programs.
- Expanded Food Security & Health Access: Coordinated recurring community distributions in partnership with Brighter Bites, delivering fresh produce and nutritional resources to local families multiple times per month.
Site Director (Webb Middle School & East Club)
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area
Austin, USA
09.2012 - 05.2014
- Directed high-quality youth development programming aligned with organizational values.
- Oversaw site operations, budgets, and payroll while supervising Education Director, Program Specialist, and Youth Development Professionals to ensure program alignment with organizational goals.
- Established collaborative partnerships with school administration and faculty to implement educational enrichment and family engagement initiatives that enhanced student learning experiences.
- Curriculum & Program Innovation: Designed and executed engaging grant-compliant programming covering academics, technology, team building, and cultural enrichment (e.g., aviation, forensic science, breakdancing).
- Experiential Summer Program ('Webbville'): Conceptualized and implemented an immersive micro-economy summer program teaching financial literacy and civic responsibility; students interviewed for campus roles, earned simulated currency, ran small businesses, and traded at community swap meets.
- Trained and mentored youth development staff in classroom management, lesson planning, and student engagement strategies based on Youth Program Quality Assessment (YPQA) principles to improve program delivery.
- Community Partnerships: Collaborated with local organizations—including United Way, Communities in Schools, Creative Action, and the St. John's Community Alliance—to expand student resources.
21st Century After School Site Coordinator
Monte Alto Independent School District
Monte Alto, USA
09.2010 - 07.2012
- Directed comprehensive before- and after-school programming for 6th–8th grade students and local community members under the federally funded 21st Century Grant.
- Designed and implemented cost-effective, high-impact enrichment programs and community-wide events by maximizing limited grant allocations and collaborating with campus leadership to align initiatives with district goals.
- Managed grant budgets effectively, balancing staff hiring, payroll processing, and community outreach to provide 100% free programming for participating families.
- Established student-led anti-bullying coalition and coordinated major campus initiatives including adult education (GED/ESL classes), substance/gang awareness seminars, and community events like the 1st Annual Race to Embrace Breast Cancer Awareness walk.
- College Readiness & Campus Planning: Introduced an early college readiness program enabling 8th graders to take the Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA); served on executive committees to draft the Campus Improvement Plan and conduct Campus Needs Assessments.
First Aid Coach / Athletic Trainer Assistant / Sports Medicine Teacher
Edcouch-Elsa Independent School District
Edcouch, USA
08.2009 - 05.2010
- Program & Curriculum Development: Designed and instructed the district's first Sports Medicine course, incorporating hands-on clinical skills and facilitating First Aid/CPR certification opportunities for participating students.
- Managed comprehensive athletic training operations across all district campuses and sports programs in the absence of a primary Head Athletic Trainer while developing and teaching the district’s inaugural Sports Medicine curriculum.
- Led acute care, injury prevention, and rehabilitation efforts for student-athletes, ensuring effective treatment under guidance of team physician.
- Recruited, trained, and supervised student trainer team; collaborated with team physicians to create individualized treatment and rehabilitation plans.
- Designed layout for new athletic training room and established a centralized database for organizing athlete medical records.
Education
Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science - Exercise and Sports Science, Sports Psychology
Texas State University
San Marcos, TX05-2009
High School Diploma -
Edcouch-Elsa High School
Edcouch, TX01-1999
Skills
- Curriculum Design
- Academic Integration
- Physical Health Education
- Physical Fitness Evaluation
- First Aid/CPR
- Program Leadership
- Grant Management
- Budgeting
- Resource management
- Site Administration
- Campus safety management
- De-escalation
- Student Behavior Management
- Family Engagement
- Community Engagement
- Parent education programs
- Coalition development
- Mental Health Education
Timeline
Physical Education Teacher (EC–12th Grade)
Elgin Independent School District
08.2016 - 06.2019
Parent Support Specialist
Austin Independent School District
01.2015 - 08.2016
Site Director (Webb Middle School & East Club)
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area
09.2012 - 05.2014
21st Century After School Site Coordinator
Monte Alto Independent School District
09.2010 - 07.2012
First Aid Coach / Athletic Trainer Assistant / Sports Medicine Teacher
Edcouch-Elsa Independent School District
08.2009 - 05.2010
Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science - Exercise and Sports Science, Sports Psychology
Texas State University
High School Diploma -
Edcouch-Elsa High School