Featured Teachers: Deborah Garcia
Get to know some of our teachers through the Proust Questionnaire, liberally adapted from French writer Marcel Proust (1871–1922).
Deborah J. Garcia teaches or has taught Language Arts, Math, Science, New Mexico History, US History, Health, Manual Arts, Junior High Art, Art I, and Music Ministry. She has been a teacher for 23 years and has spent all of them at St. Mike’s. She serves as chair of the Art Department.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
As a child, I wanted to be a veterinarian. I later realized that this would be impossible for me because I could never accommodate all the animals I would want to take home!
What is your favorite animal?
My favorite animal is definitely a dog. I love all animals, but dogs are special to me.
What is your favorite color?
Forest green.
What is your most marked characteristic?
My most marked physical characteristics are my eyes and smile, so I’m told. Personality-wise, it would be my sense of humor.
What do you think are your greatest faults?
My greatest fault is not always exercising my ability to say “no.”
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Good health and being surrounded by family and friends.
Who is your favorite artist or musician?
That’s tough! I enjoy so many genres of music so I could never have a favorite, although I am partial to Spanish music, especially Mariachi!
Who are your favorite writers or poets?
My favorite poet is e.e. cummings. He touches my heart. Authors Michael Crichton, Stephen King, and Mary Higgins Clark fascinate me.
Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
My favorite hero of fiction is Jo March from Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott.
Who are your favorite characters in history?
Abraham Lincoln, Anne Frank and, of course, Gandhi.
Who are your heroes in real life?
My favorite hero in real life is my mother. During her lengthy illness, her courage, strength and love never ceased. She showed the value of life, family and love. I miss her so much.
Where would you most like to travel?
I would most like to travel to Washington, DC.
If you had not become a teacher, what would you like to have done instead?
I can’t imagine not being a teacher, but if I hadn’t become a teacher, I would have loved to own and run a family restaurant.
What do you most value in your friends?
Love, loyalty and dependability.
What to your mind would be the greatest of misfortunes?
The greatest misfortune in my mind would be to lose one’s hearing. Voices, sounds, music; these are so much a part of my world.
What is your favorite word?
My favorite word is a secret, but anyone who truly knows me knows my favorite word!
What is your greatest pet peeve?
My greatest pet peeve is being around someone who is pretentious or phony.
What natural gift would you most like to possess?
I would like to possess the ability to write music and poetry “freely.” I can do it but I have to work at it!
What is your motto?
“Whatever it is, do it right and to the best of your ability. Otherwise, don’t do it at all!”
Positive! I am enjoying life and I am grateful for the gifts God has granted me.