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UISD Selects Andrea Garza as Dean of United High School’s Early College


Posted Date: 07/31/2024

UISD Selects Andrea Garza as Dean of United High School’s Early College

United Independent School District is proud to announce Andrea J. Garza as the new Early College Dean at United High School.  The passionate and dedicated leader has been a Texas educator for 19 years, with 15 years at United South High School, where Garza excelled as a classroom teacher, department chair, Campus Instructional Coordinator, and Assistant Principal.  Garza brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to educational excellence and student success.

With a proven track record in academic leadership, Andrea Garza is uniquely positioned to lead United High School’s Early College program. Her innovative approach and passion for bridging the gap between high school and higher education will be instrumental in helping students achieve their academic goals. She is excited to step into her new position. “I am grateful to UISD’s Administrators in Charge and Principal Jessica C. Salazar for this wonderful opportunity. I look forward to collaborating with the Longhorn family - the administration, faculty, staff, students, and community.  Without doubt, the United Longhorn tradition will continue to excel and I am proud to be a part of it.”  We look forward to the fresh perspectives and dynamic leadership she will bring to the school community. 

Andrea Garza holds a Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies from the University of Minnesota, and a Master of Science in Curriculum & Instructional from Texas A&M International University. As an undergraduate, Garza studied international development in Ecuador, Spanish language in Mexico, and service learning enrichment in Costa Rica. As a graduate student, she focused research on service learning, civic and global citizenship education, and culturally responsive pedagogy.  

Her journey as an educator began in 2006 with Teach for America, a leadership development organization that finds, develops, and supports equity-oriented leaders to transform education and provide opportunity for all children. In 2006, she began teaching at Roma High School in Roma, TX. She taught social studies and coached volleyball, basketball, and track & field. In 2009, she accepted the position as head volleyball coach and social studies teacher at United South High School and began her journey with United ISD. 

As a dynamic teacher, Garza applied various instructional methods in order to promote student success. She provided empowering lessons that fostered student efficacy, encouraged critical analysis, and taught the importance of civic engagement and historical understanding. In addition to teaching secondary social studies, she also served as an adjunct curriculum & instruction instructor at Texas A&M International University, instructing future educators. 

In 2017, she was named United ISD Teacher of the Year, Region One Teacher of the Year, and was a 2018 state finalist for Texas Teacher of the Year, representing over 50,000 teachers in the state of Texas.  In 2018, she was awarded the prestigious HEB Secondary Leadership Teacher of the Year, as well as Humanities Texas Commended Teacher of the Humanities. Garza has been a presenter and keynote speaker at a variety of educational conferences, including Region I Best Practices, Region I First Days of School, and Texas Council of the Social Studies.

As an instructional leader, Andrea Garza is passionate about the profound impact of education. Realizing that our influence as educators goes well beyond the classroom, she believes that educators must provide equitable opportunities to all students with the understanding that our lessons not only impact the lives of students, but also their families, communities, our nation, and world. 

As a school administrator, Andrea Garza is a transformational leader that encourages and inspires educators to create meaningful change. She has a steadfast commitment to public education, including the function of schools, a focus on student success and safety, and compassion for staff, students, and the community served. She is goal oriented and holds high expectations for teachers, staff, students, and self. During her time as assistant principal at United South High School, the campus and community experienced immense growth and success.

Andrea Garza is married to Juan Andres Garza and they have four children, Sarah, Madeline, Katherine, and Pierce. She enjoys training and competing in fitness races, reading, being outside, and spending time with her family. 

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