Project Description
Raul Garcia, Fellow
Southwood Middle School
Miami, FL
Raul Garcia, Principal of Southwood Middle School Center for the Arts, has been working in Miami-Dade County Public Schools since 1995. Mr. Garcia graduated from the University of Miami, with a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Education in 1995. In 2001, he earned a Master’s degree in the Science of Education from Florida State University, followed by his Certificate in Educational Leadership from Florida International University. In 1998, as a District Eisenhower Math and Science Resource teacher, he provided professional development to teachers District-wide. From 2000-2006, as the Literacy Coach at Christina M Eve Elem., he developed a school-wide writing curriculum that resulted in the highest average FCAT Writing Assessment scores in Florida for multiple years. Mr. Garcia was promoted to the Principal of Goulds Elem. in 2009, and worked diligently to increase the school's accountability grade from a “D” to an “A” in his first year. Throughout Mr. Garcia’s career, he has worked collaboratively with the Department of the Interior on the development of the “Hands on the Land Grant.” In addition, he has been a presenter at the 2017 Money Does Matter Support Program, 2016 District Synergy Conference, 2014 South Region SAIL Academy, 2002 Dade Reading Council Meeting, and the Florida Association of Science Teachers Conference. Mr. Garcia has been recognized with the 2017 Dade Arts Educators Association’s Outstanding Administrator Award, 2017 Office of the Secretary of Defense Patriotic Employer Award, the 2011 Cervantes Outstanding Educator Award, and Francisco R. Walker Teacher of the Year Award.
Rita Ramirez, Ally
Test Chairperson
Southwood Middle School
Miami, FL
Rita Ramirez, Test Chairperson and Activities Director at Southwood Middle School Center for the Arts, has been working for Miami-Dade County Public Schools since 2005. Mrs. Ramirez graduated from Florida International University located in Miami, Florida in 2007 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Curriculum and Instruction in Social Science Education. In 2018, she earned a Master’s of Science in Educational Leadership from Florida International University. While at Southwood, Mrs. Ramirez has served under many capacities. As the Science Department Chairperson, she led the science department in developing a framework for identifying at-risk students and providing them with targeted remediation in preparation for the Grade 8 Statewide Science Assessment and Biology 1 End of Course Exam. Under her leadership, Southwood’s science department has achieved and maintained ranking among the top performing middle school science programs in the state of Florida. Furthermore, during her tenure as Activities Director she has increased student enrollment and active participation in student interest in extracurricular and athletic offerings with 87% of enrolled students participating in school-sponsored extracurricular activities.