Mónica García was elected to the Board of Education in June 2006, becoming the third Latina to serve on the Board in its 155 year history. As a board member, she gives voice to the hundreds of thousands of children and families that rely on education for access to good jobs, healthcare and a sustainable quality of life. In affirming her commitment to a quality and equitable educational system, Ms. García supports initiatives that provide all students access to a college preparatory curriculum, career and technology pathways.

 

In her first year in office Ms García has made tremendous strides. She has led the charge to develop and implement a comprehensive instructional strategy that includes, at its core, a focus on English Learners. Ms. García also developed the Diplomas for All resolution, which for the first time sets into policy the goal 100% graduation by 2015! And in July of 2007, Ms. García was elected unanimously by her peers as president of the Board of Education.

 

Ms. García comes to LAUSD with experience from the classroom to the boardroom. For six years, Ms. García served as an Academic Advisor at Foshay Learning Center in South Los Angeles through the Volunteers of America’s (VOA) Educational Talent Search Program. During this time she was chosen to staff the National Student Leadership Congress at American University, in Washington D.C. and was selected as a National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC) Scholar. She was also a founding member of Camp College Los Angeles which served middle school students in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Through her work as a guidance counselor, Ms. García developed a keen insight into the individual needs of students and their families. More importantly, she solidified her belief that when given the opportunity and access, every child CAN learn.

 

Mónica García has deep roots in the community and has devoted her life to making Los Angeles a better place to live, work and raise a family. As Director of Community Services for Eastmont Community Center, Ms. Garcia provided direct social services, referrals and opportunities for community engagement. As the founder and co-director of Comadres In Action and the Soy Inteligente Project, Ms. García designed and implemented college readiness skills workshops for first generation college students and their families.

 

Prior to joining the Board of Education, Ms. García served as Chief of Staff to Los Angeles Unified School District Board President José Huizar throughout his 4 year tenure. As Chief of Staff, Ms. García was an effective leader and focused her efforts to reduce dropout rates and improve academic achievement throughout the district. Ms. García worked side by side Mr. Huizar to increase opportunities for all students and their families. Their efforts contributed to creating safer schools, building 160 new schools across the city to reduce class size, and establishing a policy that guarantees every student in the district access to the courses necessary to attend a four year university.

 

Ms García is committed to the children and families in LAUSD and to the greater coordination of resources and services in education. In addition, Ms García has made the full implementation of the A-G. As such, children will be guaranteed the opportunity to graduate ready for college or the workforce.

 

Ms. García was born and raised in East Los Angeles. She attended local schools and graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Chicano Studies and Political Science. She later earned her Masters in Social Work from the University of Southern California.