Dr. John Garcia, 21st century school superintendent

Dr. John Garcia, superintendent of the Downey Unified School District.

“I’m a Downey kid,” said Dr. John Garcia, superintendent of the Downey Unified school system, speaking at the Downey Coordinating Council’s November meeting.

“I went to Downey schools, played for Downey High’s football team, and when the opening for superintendent came along,” said Dr. John, “I fought for it. I really believe in what we are doing for our Downey schools. We are going to make our students globally competitive, with 21st century tools.

“We’re in the 21st century now” said Dr. John. “Education is different. When I graduated in 1985 there were shop classes, like wood, and metal, and home education. These have morphed into technical classes that require more knowledge. Now there is a high technical level of technology for plumbers and electricians. We offer a course in construction technology, on a rigorous academic track.”

“It’s exciting,” said Dr. John, “to see that half of the classes offered today weren’t even invented before the 21st century. K-5 Schools offer computer science, and 3-D design and green screen. In middle school there is Animation, and Automation and Robots. Courses for Medical Detectives."

No high school curriculum before 2000 ever offered Bio Med and Sports Medicine, Dance/Chorus, or Game Programing. But Downey High School sectors now include Auto Technology, Graphic Design, Law Enforcement, Film and Video, Manufacturing, Construction, Education, Arts and Media, Fashion and Interior, Health and Medical Technology, and Public Service, Information and Communication Technology.

“Our vision,” said Dr. John “is that all our students will graduate with a 21st century education that ensures they are college and career ready, globally competitive, and citizens of strong character.”

“Our job is to prepare our students to compete globally. We held an Apple Digital Global Learning Day, and it was attended virtually by educators from 12 states and 9 countries, like Greece, India. and Mexico who wanted to see what we are doing in Downey. We’ve placed 5 of our 13 elementary schools as Apple Distinguished Schools, and that means they are recognized for their use of technology to connect students with the world. Our goal, lofty but reachable, is to be All-System Apple Schools. That’s how dedicated we are.

“The Covid pandemic taught us some lessons,” said Dr. John, “and caused new problems. It opened our eyes to the relative value of virtual versus human learning. Twenty years ago, I would have said that virtual learning was the wave of the future. But now we see that during the pandemic, with remote learning, student scores have fallen abysmally. Drop-outs have increased, and students are one to two years behind the norms. It will take three to five years to catch up. The students need the competition of their peers, the stimulation that a teacher and a classroom can provide.”

The DUSD offers the Downey Virtual Academy for those students and parents who do not want their children to return to the classroom, with 300 students, or one and half percent of the 22,000 student enrollment.

“Here in Downey we give equal emphasis to good character as a citizen,” said Dr. John, “and to sound emotional wellness. The pandemic lowered social interaction. We offer a sheltered environment to deal with social emotional needs through inclusion with various clubs and programs.

“There are Character Counts Councils at every elementary school, and WEB [Where Everybody Belongs] at every middle school. There are Wellness Centers where students are offered a one-stop shop for counseling, clinical therapy and community resource referrals. This sets the students up for success.”

And more innovations are coming.

“How do we prepare our students for something that doesn’t yet exist?” asked Dr. John. “The ultimate aim of education has always been critical thinking. By adding 21st century tools and technology we will do just that. Our kids deserve the best.”