MEDIA RELEASE
CONTACT:
Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association
Kelsey Gantzer, Communications Manager
651-999-7313
Cedar Park STEM School, Apple Valley, MN
John Garcia, Principal
952-431-8360
For Immediate Release
John Garcia
ROSEMOUNT - APPLE VALLEY - EAGAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS PRINCIPAL NAMED
2015 SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR
(St. Paul, MN – January 6, 2015) – John Garcia, principal of Cedar Park Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) School in Apple Valley, MN, has been named the 2015
Science and Mathematics Elementary and Middle Level Principal of the Year.
Created through a partnership between the Science Museum of Minnesota and the Minnesota
Elementary School Principals’ Association (MESPA), the award recognizes the vital importance
of fostering lifelong science literacy and honors the key role principals play in developing a
culture that encourages and celebrates student interest in math and science.
In reviewing applications for this year’s award recipient, the award committee looked for
evidence of the nominees’ support of professional development and coaching for the teachers in
their schools, active partnerships with other organizations, efforts to apply math and science
standards to curriculum and provide support materials, support of out-of-school as well as in-
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school experiences, inclusion of families, and evidence of other creative ways of fostering
interest in math and science.
John Garcia has built a career around science and math education, exhibiting a personal passion
for the sciences that he brings into his schools. He has been the principal at Cedar Park STEM
School for the past seven years. Prior to Cedar Park STEM, he was the principal at Galtier
Magnet School in St. Paul for four years. From 1989-1996 he taught elementary school in
Kansas City, KS, Ann Arbor, MI and Minneapolis Public schools. In 1996 he moved to the
pharmaceutical industry, where he worked as a product representative and health systems
manager, specializing in oncology and hematology products. He also worked in the sales and
marketing divisions of Ortho Biotech, a division of Johnson & Johnson, and Amgen Inc.
Since Principal Garcia’s arrival to Cedar Park STEM School, the school has grown from 512
students to 706 students, with a waiting list in every grade level. During the 2010 through 2014
school years, Cedar Park STEM School won both the National Magnet Schools of Distinction
award and the MN Magnet School of Excellence Award. In 2012 Principal Garcia was awarded
the Region 5 Magnet School Principal of the Year award. Under Mr. Garcia’s leadership, test
scores have gone up in every category as measured by the Minnesota Comprehensive
Assessment (MCA) Test.
Garcia has helped create an environment for hands on learning and inquiry based thinking at
Cedar Park. Elementary students use their innate ability to explore, experiment, problem solve
and invent through engaged and sustained learning. The technology enhanced classrooms,
environmentally conscious science labs, engineering labs, outdoor learning areas, food science
lab, and the Building Understanding Zone or BUZ Space (a mini-museum inquiry room) provide
opportunities for students to experience learning in active, real-life environments. The inquirybased instructional program nurtures the students’ spirit of curiosity, questioning, reflection,
openness to new ideas, and respect for evidence.
John has supported field studies with Dakota County Regional Parks, Mississippi National River
and Recreation Area (National Park Service), Minnesota Zoological Society, and Eagle Bluff
Environmental Learning Center to expand his students’ knowledge of the natural world and to
help them develop a level of personal responsibility for environmental stewardship. John leads
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partnerships with the Science Museum of Minnesota, University of Minnesota Bell Museum,
The WORKS Technology Museum, and University of Minnesota Arboretum.
According to John’s peer – Lisa Carlson, principal of Woodland Elementary – “Parent
involvement and community involvement are very important to John. John recognizes that parent
and community involvement enhance the quality of the STEM program at Cedar Park.” Parents
assist teachers with afterschool enrichment classes, help maintain outdoor learning areas, and
volunteer their time in classrooms providing support for teachers and students. Other community
members who enhance Cedar Park STEM’s learning include high school robotic team members
who co-teach the LEGO League class and Society of Women in Engineering (SWE) members
who teach a SciGirls class.
As the 2015 Science and Mathematics Elementary Principal of the Year, Garcia will be
recognized during the MESPA Institute Awards Banquet on Thursday, February 5, 2015, in
Bloomington, MN. In addition, Cedar Park STEM students and staff will receive complimentary
Science Museum education programming.
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The Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association is dedicated to promoting and improving education for children and
youth, strengthening the role as educational leader for elementary and middle level principals and collaborating with partners in
education to assist in achieving those goals. For more information, visit the association’s Web site at www.mespa.net.
The Science Museum of Minnesota has a 100-year history of bringing science learning to life through hands-on exhibits, giant
screen films, and unparalleled educational opportunities for all ages. For more information about the wide range of education
programs for school groups, teachers, kids, families, and adults, visit the museum’s Web site at
www.smm.org/educationprograms/.
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