My name is Tilde Garcia and I'm the 2nd grade teacher at St. John the Baptist School in Milpitas. I have been with St. John's for 13 years and have taught 2nd grade for the past 5 years. I'm originally from Texas and enjoy living in California. I knew the teaching profession was my calling early in life when I would play school with the neighborhood kids. My passion for teaching at St. John's is fueled by its unique and diverse community. I also volunteer with our Boy Scout and Girls Scout programs and serve as their Religious Counselor and Junior Brownie Troop Leader. I enjoy working with our 7th and 8th grade students in producing the school yearbook.

I think a Catholic education is important because it means students are getting a quality education both in academics and religion. Catholic schools are a vital part of our society. At St. John's, morals and leadership skills instilled in the children are also reflected in behavior both in and out of the classroom. Community service is also an integral part of Catholic schools. It is through service that we reach out to others, especially in our own community. Each year my second grade class participates in a community service project. The students make cards for various occasions (sickness, death, birthdays, celebrations, etc...) that are given to the family or persons involved. The students also deliver cards, drawings or decorations to the Milpitas Care Center residents.

Catholic schools are also a great venue to promote vocations to religious life. I like working with the AR sisters because they give an additional spiritual aspect to what I'm teaching, especially with sacrament preparation.