Preschool helps children succeed, supervisor says

Story and photo by Samantha Munsey

In a room full of small chairs and storybooks, Torina Garcia resembles Mary Poppins.

Garcia has been supervisor of the Early Childhood Development Center at Pima Community College’s West Campus for almost nine years and has seen children and families grow before her eyes.

Originally from New Mexico, Garcia graduated with a degree in early childhood development from PCC and began teaching preschool at different childhood centers throughout Tucson.

“I’ve worked with the babies, toddlers and infants,” Garcia said. “But when I moved up to preschool, I really liked the kids. They were just my age group.”

Now, a typical day for Garcia is making sure everything at the Center runs smoothly.

From regulating meals given to children to supervising professional development for the staff, Garcia is the person behind the scenes who ensures that both children and parents are being provided for properly. She even fills in as a teacher from time to time if she is short-staffed.

“When a teacher is sick and we are unable to find a sub, I usually step in to teach for the day,” Garcia said.

The Center can care for up to 25 children ages 3-5, with mornings being the busiest part of the day. Garcia rewards children who make it through the entire two-year program with a little celebration in their honor.

“It’s always really hard for me towards the end of May when we have to see some of the kids go,” Garcia said. “We have a graduation, and give them a cap and gown and little diplomas.”

She believes the ECD program provides building blocks for a good education and socialization because children are familiar with the atmosphere when they start school.

“When these kids go into kindergarten, they have no problem behaving in a classroom and getting along with children,” Garcia said.

She sent her own children to preschool as a result of this belief. They are now teenagers, but she still sees the benefit of them attending.

“Sometimes I run into my kids’ friends who were in my preschool and, for the most part, all of them are doing really well,” Garcia said. “I like to think I had a part in that.”

Garcia and her staff recently obtained state certification and accreditation for the ECD center. The certification will allow the Center to receive grants and funding.

“It was awesome,” Garcia said. “We scored over 100 percent. I’m really proud of my staff.”

When Garcia looks back on all of her years as a supervisor and educator, she is happy to discover she still values the well-being and growth of children most of all.

“I love children,” Garcia said. “Above everything, they are the ones who know how to keep a person grounded.”

Torina Garcia spends time with a preschooler.