Carlos Garcia, a distinguished educator and founding member of the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS), has been awarded the prestigious 2024-25 ALAS Lifetime Achievement Award. The award was presented to Garcia during a special ceremony at the ALAS Gala Dinner Event on October 11, 2024, held at the Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront as part of the ALAS 21st National Education Summit.
ALAS Executive Director Ulysses Navarrete expressed the organization’s deep respect for Garcia, highlighting his dedication to supporting historically marginalized students, particularly Latinos, throughout his illustrious 40-year career in education. Navarrete commended Garcia for his leadership and unwavering commitment to fostering positive change in the field, emphasizing his “si se puede” attitude as an inspiration to all.
Garcia’s impressive career includes serving as a superintendent in four distinct school districts, namely Sanger USD (CA), Fresno USD (CA), Clark County SD (NV), and San Francisco USD (CA) before retiring in 2012. He played a pivotal role in establishing both the national ALAS and the California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators (CALSA), showcasing his dedication to advancing educational opportunities for Latino students.
Throughout his tenure in education, Garcia demonstrated a consistent track record of enhancing student achievement and narrowing the achievement gap. His experience as a teacher, principal, central office administrator, and instructional leader contributed to his holistic approach to improving educational outcomes for students. Garcia’s impact was recognized with numerous awards, including the 2005 Nevada Superintendent of the Year Award and the 2010 Ferd Kiesel Memorial Distinguished Service Award.
Rooted in his personal background growing up in a Los Angeles barrio, Garcia’s passion for serving urban, underserved children has been a driving force in his educational mission. His transformative leadership and advocacy for equity and social justice have established him as a national role model in the field of education.
The ALAS awards ceremony also honored other education leaders for their exceptional contributions to Latino and historically marginalized students, underscoring the importance of advocacy and leadership in addressing educational challenges. The ALAS National Education Summit serves as a platform for administrators to engage in meaningful discussions and collaborate on solutions to improve outcomes for Latino youth.
As Latino children continue to represent a significant portion of the school-age population, organizations like ALAS play a crucial role in advocating for policies and practices that support the educational needs of all students, with a specific focus on Latino and historically marginalized youth. By providing professional learning opportunities, policy advocacy, and networking resources, ALAS aims to ensure that every student receives a quality education that prepares them for success.
For more information about ALAS and their mission to support Latino administrators and superintendents, visit www.alasedu.org.
