Hello Tennenbaum Technology Families & Scholars,

My name is Evelyn Garcia and I am excited to join the Tennenbaum Tech Team as assistant principal. I was born and raised in New York and worked for 13 years as an educator in the Bronx. During those 13 years I worked in several roles such as grades 9-12 English Teacher, AP Language & Composition Teacher, Journalism Advisor, Coordinator of School Activities, Senior Activities Coordinator, Curriculum Specialist, Peer Collaborative Teacher Leader, LINCT Master Teacher, College Access for All Lead, English Department Chair, and Administrative Intern for school-based and district offices. I learned a lot, but am looking forward to all the new things I can learn at Tennenbaum Tech alongside each of you. I am a firm believer that we are all lifelong learners and we should never stop challenging ourselves. We have to keep going to keep growing!

Education:

• BA in English, Literature, & Rhetoric -- Binghamton University (Vestal, NY)
• MS in Secondary Education -- Pace University (New York, New York)
• MSed in School Building & District Leadership -- The College of Saint Rose (Albany, New York)

My College Story:

I’ve always loved learning and was successful in high school. I made a bet with my grandfather that I would graduate as the valedictorian. When he passed away during the summer before Sophomore year, I knew I had to keep my promise. As a first- generation student, I had to work twice as hard to ensure I was not only accepted, but could afford college. I went on scholarship interviews and made it far into the process but was always cut. When I started to get discouraged, my mother reminded me of my mission and promise. I went on one final interview- and was awarded a full scholarship. I learned a very valuable lesson about persistence. The world is a competitive place and you don’t always win, but you lose the second you stop trying.

Adjusting to college life and independence was not easy for me. I found myself full of doubt and struggling to make important decisions about my life and path. Balancing academics, social involvement, and jobs as a first year student was difficult, and my grades started to slip. I had to seek advice from the tutoring center, financial aid, and other students to learn how to balance my life. Once I did, I was back on track and I never looked back. I was a campus tour guide and tutor, involved with my campus television station, in a service sorority, a resident’s assistant, a teaching assistant, & an ABC News intern. My advice is to take advantage of opportunities as they arise but always with the self-awareness and knowledge of what you can handle. College is an amazing experience- that’s why I keep going back! 

I know this 2019-2020 school year will be awesome and I cannot wait to meet each of you and see the great accomplishments you achieve.

Best,

Evelyn Garcia