CFSD Teacher Named United Way Literacy Champion
Posted Date: 02/19/26 (05:00 PM)
Catalina Foothills School District is proud to announce that Rebecca Garcia, reading specialist at Manzanita Elementary School, has been recognized as one of this year’s United Way Literacy Champions. The prestigious honor celebrates local classroom educators who have gone above and beyond to improve early childhood education in the Tucson community.
Mrs. Garcia was honored at the Annual Business Leaders for Early Childhood Breakfast and award ceremony on Thursday, February 19, from 7–9 a.m. at the Tucson Convention Center.
“This honor was very unexpected,” Mrs. Garcia said. She was nominated by three of her school leaders, both current and former. “That is the most meaningful part of this experience for me. Each of them has played an integral role in my growth as a teacher, and I am deeply grateful for their consistent support and belief in me.”
A Path to Reading Specialist
Mrs. Garcia’s journey to becoming a reading specialist is rooted in both personal experience and professional curiosity. She watched her own daughter benefit from reading specialists in CFSD, and that experience changed how she understood the work. “Seeing the difference that expert, targeted instruction made in her confidence and growth changed how I understood this work,” she said. “I experienced firsthand how powerful it is when a child feels supported and capable.”That personal connection combined with a growing professional awareness. “Early in my teaching career, I realized just how complex the process of learning to read is,” Mrs. Garcia said. “I wanted to deepen my knowledge so I could be a better teacher for my students.”
That commitment to continuous growth has never wavered. According to Manzanita Principal Rob Henikman, Mrs. Garcia continuously builds her knowledge by immersing herself in the latest reading research, studying best practices in literacy intervention, and staying current with the science of reading. She collects and analyzes student performance data to inform her instruction, ensuring every lesson is purposeful and targeted.
Building Readers from the Ground Up
As Manzanita’s reading specialist, Mrs. Garcia leads the Read Strong program, providing targeted reading intervention for kindergarten through third-grade students who need extra support in developing foundational literacy skills. Each year, approximately 95 students benefit from small-group, individualized instruction focused on phonics, decoding, and fluency as she helps them build confidence and a lifelong love of reading.“Rebecca has a gift for making the learning of foundational reading skills an enjoyable and rewarding experience—turning what can feel like a daunting challenge into something her students genuinely look forward to,” Mr. Henikman said.
“You Can Do Hard Things”
Mrs. Garcia believes deeply in her students’ potential, and she isn’t afraid to let them know it. She regularly challenges her young readers to take on difficult tasks, meeting each moment of struggle with her signature encouragement: “You can do hard things.”The results of that patient, expert instruction show up in moments Mrs. Garcia witnesses every day. She recently watched one of her most reluctant first graders transform into a confident, capable early reader after months of resistance. “For him, reading has been what it is for many children—slow and built in small increments. Then, something clicked, and his growth accelerated exponentially,” she said. “What is most special to me is how he is learning to persist and be willing to make mistakes. Watching his belief in himself change has been the most powerful part of this journey.”
“It is Rebecca’s can-do attitude that truly sets the tone around her,” Mr. Henikman said. “Her commitment to providing small-group and individualized support ensures that no student falls through the cracks. She is never content with ‘the way things have always been done’—instead, she challenges the status quo whenever doing so means better outcomes for her students.”
Partners for Success
What sets Mrs. Garcia apart is her commitment to extending literacy learning beyond the classroom to families. That partnership isn’t an add-on; it’s central to the work. “I see myself as one part of a team that champions our students,” she said. “Our parents and guardians, along with classroom teachers, do the hardest and most important work every day. I get to step in and support that effort. It is my privilege. We are strongest when we work together.”
“Brilliant Little Stars”
When asked what she wants the community to know about her Read Strong students, Mrs. Garcia doesn’t hesitate: “My Read Strong students are capable, amazing, brilliant little stars. I truly have the best job learning with and from them every day.”She is quick to share the credit for their growth. “Their growth is not just a reflection of the time we spend together. It reflects the wonderful instruction they receive in every classroom and all that they bring to our school community—their effort, resilience, curiosity, and heart. I am grateful to be part of their journey.”
Mr. Henikman echoed that spirit of shared purpose: “Her students-first mindset is not just a philosophy; it is evident in every decision she makes. That spirit of dedication, warmth, and advocacy is a big part of what makes Manzanita Elementary the special place it is for the children and families it serves.”
Congratulations to Rebecca Garcia on this well-deserved recognition as a United Way Literacy Champion. Her commitment to early childhood literacy—and her dedication to partnering with families and the community every step of the way—makes a lasting difference in the lives of Manzanita students and the broader Catalina Foothills community.
CFSD Foundation President Amy Morales Baum with Rebecca Garcia