Dallas, May 5, 2020 – Today, PBS and KERA announced that Robert “BJ” Garcia, a math teacher at Crownover Middle School in Denton ISD, has been named one of 19 educators from across the country for the PBS Digital Innovator All-Star Program.
The PBS Digital Innovator All-Star program brings together a community of Pre-K through 12th-grade educators who are innovators and leaders both in and outside of the classroom. Each of the Digital Innovator All-Stars was selected from a cohort of educators who are doing excellent and creative work in their local communities, supporting student learning by integrating media and digital technology in their teaching environments, inspiring students to use these tools in responsible, effective and empowering ways.
Robert Garcia
“Becoming an educator is truly the best job I have ever had,” Garcia said. “I am able to coach students in the sports that I love and shape minds in the classroom. I enjoy finding meaningful ways for students to make connections between math and the real world. I have a passion to create STEM based lessons that challenge students’ creative side. The goal for my classroom is to make learning irresistible to my students.
“I was once told that no one who ever bought a drill wanted a drill. They wanted a hole – and it’s the task that matters. Education shouldn’t be about drilling facts into a student’s head; instead we should focus on the task of learning. Students don’t show up to class excited about doing a worksheet or taking a test, but they are excited about creative ways to apply their knowledge. The PBS Digital Innovator program reinforces this belief and I’m excited to be a part of it. It’s also a way for me to connect with my learning community, share tools and resources that PBS provides with other teachers and collaborate with amazing educators around the country. I feel so fortunate to be selected and can’t wait to start this journey with PBS!”
“‘BJ’ Garcia believes all students can learn – and appreciate – math,” said KERA Director of Education Kit Lively. “He works hard to find innovative ways to present lessons that show practical uses for math and help to break through any preconceptions kids have about their ability to learn math.
“One thing that struck me about BJ’s commitment to teaching was his unusual career path. He majored in architecture in college and liked the profession, but he never felt a deep impact on his clients. He had known students who disliked math and began asking himself, Why not use his architectural training to bring math to life for kids?”
In partnership with KERA and PBS, Mr. Garcia will spend the 2020-2021 school year helping the station deepen its engagement with students, families, educators and schools.
Here is the full list of the 2020 PBS Digital Innovator All-Stars, including profiles and photographs.