Melissa Garcia, M.Ed.
Grand Prairie
Summary
Innovative middle school educator with extensive experience in Visual Arts and instructional leadership. Committed to enhancing student creativity through mentorship, collaborative curriculum planning, and successful facilitation of art shows and competitions, aligning educational standards with engaging art-making experiences.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Middle School Visual Arts Co-Lead
Irving ISD
Irving
08.2024 - Current
- Facilitated professional development workshops for middle school staff, clarifying district art show expectations.
- Collaborated with educators to refine instructional strategies, enhancing student engagement.
- Guided staff in preparing for district art contests, ensuring alignment with educational standards.
- Mentored colleagues in effective student assessment and feedback practices, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Visual Arts
Austin Middle School
08.2015 - Current
- Curated annual art show to showcase and celebrate student artwork, enhancing their visibility and appreciation in the community.
- Guided students through art-making process, emphasizing creative problem-solving, research, brainstorming, and individual experiences.
- Encouraged students to participate in local, state, and national art contests, fostering competitive spirit and self-expression.
- Collaborate planning and curriculum integration with peer middle school art teachers in my district and within art communities.
- Continuously seek and participate in art-making as an artist and always as an educator to communicate to my student artists.
Mathematics
Austin Middle School
01.2011 - 06.2015
Resource English (SPED Modifications)
Austin Middle School
08.2009 - 12.2010
Special Education/Autism Unit
Austin Middle School
09.2007 - 06.2009
Education
Masters of Studio Art Education - Art Education
Art of Education University
06-2026
Masters of Education - Gifted Education
Southern Methodist University
12-2011
Bachelor of Fine Arts - Graphic Design
The University of Texas at Arlington
12-2004
Skills
- Art curriculum development
- Student engagement strategies
- Collaborative planning
- Creative problem solving
- Visual communication
- Instructional leadership
Certification
- EC-12 Fine Arts
- Generalist 4-8
- EC-12 Special Education
- ESL Supplement
Affiliations
- PTO Board (Fall 2025 Inaugural Year-current)
- CIC Austin MS (2024-2026)
Timeline
Middle School Visual Arts Co-Lead
Irving ISD
08.2024 - Current
Visual Arts
Austin Middle School
08.2015 - Current
Mathematics
Austin Middle School
01.2011 - 06.2015
Resource English (SPED Modifications)
Austin Middle School
08.2009 - 12.2010
Special Education/Autism Unit
Austin Middle School
09.2007 - 06.2009
Masters of Studio Art Education - Art Education
Art of Education University
Masters of Education - Gifted Education
Southern Methodist University
Bachelor of Fine Arts - Graphic Design
The University of Texas at Arlington