Dr. Macario Hernandez, Fellow

Trinidad 'Trini' Garza Early College High School at Mountain View College

Dallas, TX

Dr. Macario Hernandez has a proven track record as a bilingual teacher, administrator, and community leader for over 23 years in Dallas, Texas. With great humility, Macario served as the principal of Trinidad ‘Trini’ Garza Early College High School at Dallas College Mountain View campus located in the Oak Cliff area where he grew up. He established authentic relationships with school community members to collectively attain higher achievements. Garza ECHS was awarded the National Title I Distinguished School Award in 2018. The high school has also earned all seven distinctions from the Texas Education Agency for outstanding educational performance for five consecutive years. Macario credits these accomplishments to a bottom-up approach to school leadership that involves stakeholders in organically creating the school culture. He serves on the board of the National Latino Education Research and Policy Project. In addition, he works on the Grow Your Own teacher initiatives across the nation to diversify the teacher and administrator workforce to meet the needs of underrepresented Latinx school communities. As a public school advocate, he has supported efforts in areas of racial equity, ethnic studies, culturally relevant pedagogy, voter empowerment, and community relations. Macario believes his profession and work as a community member is not a job, but a calling to give back to his community. He holds a B.A. from University of North Texas at Denton, a M.A. from Texas Woman’s University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin in Cultural Studies in Education. 

As Principal Macario Hernandez & Trinidad “Trini” Garza Early College High School were honored with the National Blue Ribbon School 2021 Award for astounding achievement in student success. An important part of the U.S. Department of Education, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes outstanding public and non-public schools. In identifying several hundred outstanding schools annually, the program celebrates school excellence, turn around stories, and closing subgroup achievement gaps. The Award is both a high aspiration and a potent resource of practitioner knowledge.

Macario now holds the position of Chief of Staff with University of North Texas.

Luis Macias, Ally

AP Human Geography Teacher
Trinidad 'Trini' Garza Early College High School at Mountain View College

Dallas, TX

Luis Macias was born in Monclova, Cahuilla, Mexico, and migrated to the US at three years old.  He attended L.V. Stockard Middle School and went to Trinidad Garza Early College High School, where he graduated with his associate in arts degree and a high school diploma. Afterward, he obtained his bachelor’s degree from The University of Texas at Arlington at 19. He is now the AP human geography teacher at his high school alma mater. He is the LULAC council and Jolt club sponsor, where he motivates students to become civically engaged and encouraged to become contributing members of their community. Mr. Macias is also a proud community member and enjoys helping his community and students. Mr. Macias is currently pursuing a Master's degree. He seeks to obtain a Ph.D. in city management, where he plans to create sustainable, accessible, and equitable contributions to his home city of Dallas, Texas.