As a Hispanic, male teacher, I hope that many of my students can see themselves in me and that I can help them know that they can do whatever they put their mind and heart into no matter the "norms" or "stereotypes."
Jean Carlos Garcia Reyes, originally from Winston Salem, North Carolina, earned a B.S. in elementary education from Appalachian State University in 2020. He is currently enrolled in App State’s reading education master’s program and teaching emergent bilingual populations in content areas graduate certificate program. A former student teacher at the Academy, Garcia was hired on at the school after graduation and now serves as a second-grade teacher.
Read on to learn more:
Why did you choose to work at the Academy?
I chose to work at the Academy because of the supportive community and clear love they have for their (our) scholars. I immediately noticed this during my first visit to the school for a Science Family Night outreach opportunity as an App State undergrad. This experience also made me want to do my student teaching semester at the Academy.
And, I got my wish! I was placed in a third/fourth-grade combination classroom where I worked with an amazing team. I then gained additional in-classroom experience by serving as their primary substitute teacher and as a summer school teacher.
These connections allowed me to transition to my current position — ultimately, the Academy’s core commitments, mission and family-like atmosphere convinced me that this is my place.
What's your favorite part about working at the Academy?
My favorite part about working at the Academy is the tremendous support system. This is my first year of teaching, and everyone at the school has been supportive, has shared words of encouragement and has offered to help me in any way they can. The Academy is truly a family, and I’m so excited to be a part of it.
How are you impacting education in your community?
First, I am impacting education in my community through the intentional planning of an inclusive, diverse, and relevant curriculum.
Second, I strive to be a role model for my students. Although I had great teachers growing up, I did not have any with whom I could really identify. Therefore, as a Hispanic, male teacher, I hope that many of my students can see themselves in me and that I can help them know that they can do whatever they put their mind and heart into no matter the "norms" or "stereotypes."
What was your favorite subject when you were in elementary school?
Science
The Academy has a reading literacy focus. What is your favorite book?
All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold
“Learning together” is a core commitment of the Academy. What does "learning together" mean to you?
To me, "learning together" means teachers are learning alongside their students, as well as with their team through daily collaboration.
Describe an experience where you "learned together" at the Academy.
One of many experiences I've had "learning together" at the Academy was virtual teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic during my student teaching semester.
We [teachers] learned to teach and collaborate using virtual tools; however, we were still able to form strong relationships with our students by keeping them and their needs at the forefront.
Just for fun, what is your favorite candy?
Twix
Jean Carlos Garcia Reyes
