The Laredo Independent School District Board of Trustees approved the promotion of Rogelio Garcia to Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment during the Board of Trustees meeting on September 12. After serving as the district’s Executive Director for College, Career, and Military Readiness, Advanced Academics and Schools of Innovation for three years, Garcia has been promoted to Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. He replaces Dr. Gerardo Cruz, who was recently named Superintendent of Schools for UISD.
With over 25 years of experience as an educator, Garcia has been a teacher/coach at Martin High School and a teacher at Nixon High School. He worked as a counselor/lead counselor at Dr. Leo G. Cigarroa High School for 11 years. In 2015, he was promoted to the central office as the Director of Career and Technical Education and followed as Director of College, Career and Military Readiness.
“I am thrilled to join our leadership team in this new position and look forward to helping create a learning environment where both students and educators are inspired to reach their full potential for success,” said Garcia.
During his time as Executive Director, Garcia helped the CTE department grow from 66 to over 118 teachers across the district and received an average of 97 percent student completion of at least one CCMR indicator for accountability in the past five years. He and his staff also built multiple internship opportunities with over 25 Business and Industry partners and departments, as well as supported students to complete over 10,000 industry-based certifications in the past four years. He was also tasked with the supervision of Schools of Innovation where they implemented five additional early colleges and PTECH programs that offer opportunities for students to graduate with up to 60 college hours, six different associates degrees and/or over 31 industry-based certifications.
“Mr. Garcia brings a wealth of knowledge as he led our CCMR Department to unprecedented success,” said Dr. Sylvia Rios LISD Superintendent. “I am confident he will do an excellent job leading our CIA Department.”
Garcia is a product of LISD schools having attended Urbahn, Milton and Tarver Elementary Schools, Christen Middle School and is a proud graduate from the Martin High School Class of 1992. He obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a Master of Science in Counseling Education from Texas A&M International University. Garcia also earned his State Board of Education Principal's Certificate and a Superintendent's Certificate.
Garcia is a member of several community and professional organizations including the Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA), Career and Technical Association of Texas (CTAT), Laredo College HVAC Advisory Council, and LISD District Educational Improvement Council (DEIC).
He will oversee the Assessment, Accountability and School Improvement, Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Special Education, Bilingual Education Department, Gifted and Talented/Advanced Academics, CCMR, Career and Technical Education, Guidance and Counseling, Library and Media Services, Staff Development, and Section 504/Dyslexia departments.