New superintendent for Plano schools

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Dr. Hector Garcia. New school superintendent in Plano.

Updated: January 27, 2012 2:25AM

PLANO — An assistant superintendent in the Glen Ellyn schools has been named the new superintendent for Plano schools.

Hector Garcia will replace Laurel Walker, who will retire on June 30 after serving Plano schools for 31 years as teacher, guidance counselor, principal, curriculum director and superintendent.

Garcia has been an educator for nearly 20 years with background as a teacher, high school principal and district administrator in Cicero, Plainfield and Lincolnshire.

Garcia now serves as assistant superintendent of educational services for Glenbard School District 87 in Glen Ellyn, where he leads programs in curriculum improvement and professional development.

His educational experiences range from working in a predominantly low-income, minority setting to one of the most affluent and high-performing schools, Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire.

Garcia’s experience with students of diverse backgrounds impressed the board, according to Jim Porter, president of the Plano School Board.

“His experience in that area is extensive and positive, and that was part of the criteria for all of our candidates,” said Porter. “He’s had a lot of success in getting kids to go to the next level in Advanced Placement courses and having a lot of success in them. He’s a very positive, hard-charging guy.”

Garcia has made presentations throughout the country on topics ranging from developing a culture of high expectations to implementing support systems for students who are struggling academically and behaviorally. He has also worked with educational leaders to make curriculum more relevant to minority students.

“We were looking for good leadership qualities, someone who had an aggressive style, someone who understood professional learning communities and had high expectations,” said Porter.

The district has high expectations for Garcia as well. “We want to improve Plano’s learning opportunities for kids. We want to make our adequate yearly progress, we want kids to grow, and we to continue to grow a positive environment for staff and students,” Porter said.

Like most Fox Valley districts, Plano did not make adequate yearly progress, defined as 85 percent of students meeting or exceeding standards in math and reading, in 2011. It is the district’s first year on academic watch.

In recent years, Garcia has been asked to testify to the Illinois House Education Committee and has taught graduate courses on leadership, organizational behavior, and curriculum for three Chicago area universities.

Garcia received a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Illinois at Chicago, a master’s degree in education from Northern Illinois University, and a doctorate in education leadership and policy studies from Loyola University. He lives in Elmhurst with his wife and four children.