Christian Garcia

Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because I wanted kids to have someone who made them reflect on what they can become. I grew up in a bad neighborhood where sometimes it felt like your future was already decided for you. When I eventually started working in schools, I actually went back to the same neighborhood I grew up in. That meant a lot to me because I understood the kids there. I knew the struggles, the distractions, and the feeling that sometimes school doesn’t feel like it’s built for you.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most memorable moments in teaching are the connections I build with my students every day. Nothing makes me happier than seeing their faces light up when we’re building robotic cars or flying drones in class. In those moments, you can see their curiosity and excitement take over, and that’s when real learning happens. I truly believe school should be fun. When students are excited, they engage more, ask more questions, and believe in themselves a little more.

What would you do with the $25,000?

If I had the opportunity, I would invest more into robotics, 3D printers, and creating a real STEM lab environment for my students. I would love to have a lab where students can put on lab coats and feel like real scientists and engineers while they work. When students feel like they are part of something real, their excitement for learning grows. Hands-on learning is where students truly connect with Stem.