Candidate for
Governing Board Member; Rowland Unified School District

GILBERT G. GARCIA, PH.D Candidate for Rowland Unified School District School Board

Biographical Information

Gilbert George García was born in Los Angeles, CA in 1948. His father, Salvador, was born in Aguascalientes, Mexico, and his mother, Rachel was also born in Los Angeles. Gilbert grew up in Los Angeles and graduated from Cathedral High School, then went on to major in Spanish literature and minor in history at UCLA. He returned to Cathedral High School as a Spanish and History teacher who also coached basketball and football for three years. Gilbert is married to his high school sweetheart, Maria, and they have lived in Rowland Heights with their 3 daughters for over 24 years.

Garcia was hired by Houghton Mifflin Company to bring his knowledge and enthusiasm for education to selling textbooks in Los Angeles. He has been extremely successful in sales during his 28 year career with the same publisher. His success can be attributed to his strong relationships with customers, his thorough knowledge of curriculum and education in general, and to the support and participation of his wife, Maria, and his entire family in his business enterprise.

Gilbert has continued to pursue his lifelong love of learning by getting his Master's degree and a PH.d in Education from UCLA. Six years ago he helped charter the Inter-Cities Literacy Association to promote literacy in the greater Whittier basin. He was recently elected Vice President of the California Reading Association, a literacy organization of about 12,000 educators across the state after serving 3 years on the executive board.

Gilbert's direct involvement in the Rowland Unified School District spans the last decade. The Garcia's three children have come through RUSD schools, and he has served on a number of committees in the district. He is a past recipient of the Golden Apple Award given by the RUSD to selected community members.

Gilbert Garcia is running for the RUSD school board to bring to the governing board of this school district a knowledgeable businessperson that also has extensive knowledge of curriculum and instruction. Garcia is endorsed by the Association of Rowland Educators and CSEA, Chapter 133. He is prepared to ask the tough questions about issues that confront the district. He has the experience to know whom to contact to find answers, and he is deeply concerned about the achievement of all students. He is truly in the business of education.