The Modernist Math Class

Hello everyone! My name is Eric Manuel Garza, and I'm excited to introduce myself. For the past decade, I've had the pleasure of teaching math at both the high school and middle school levels. My passion for sports extends beyond the classroom, as I’ve served as both the assistant head coach and head coach for varsity basketball. Before my teaching career, I spent two years as a police officer supervising a city in San Luis Obispo County, where I graduated in the top 5 of my police academy class. Recently, I completed my Master’s degree in Administrative Services with a perfect 4.0 GPA! I thrive on healthy competition, and I’m a huge sports enthusiast. Above all, I’m a proud dad to my wonderful 8-year-old daughter, who brings so much joy to my life. I look forward to connecting with all of you!

I maintain a structured, well-organized classroom environment with clear expectations and consistent routines. My emphasis is rigor, holding students to high standards, and maintaining a disciplined learning atmosphere. All of these qualities align with the CAASPP and other state-level assessments. Simultaneously, my commitment to making math activities engaging and enjoyable reflects elements of a constructivist approach. I facilitate active learning, encouraging students to explore mathematical concepts through interactive and meaningful activities. TI aim for deeper understanding and sustained engagement, particularly important for secondary level school learners. I engage in daily assessment through checking for understanding, focusing on a formative assessment strategy. Regular formative assessments allow me to monitor student progress closely, provide timely feedback, and adjust instruction to address learning gaps. This responsive approach supports students in mastering the standards and ensures that instruction is tailored to their needs. In summary, my teaching style integrates the structure and high expectations characteristic of an authoritative approach with the engagement and responsiveness of constructivist and formative assessment strategies. This combination is well-suited to fostering both academic achievement and enthusiasm for learning among our secondary-level math students.

https://abc30.com/post/selma-unified-sees-growth-math-ela-scores-major-improvement-middle-school/15667206/ Below the state average in English Language Arts and Math, our district wanted to increase both by five growth points. We were able to achieve that in ELA. We were able to exceed that in math with 7.5 growth points district-wide. But as we took a closer look at the numbers, we found the biggest gains at our site, which is in the middle school level. Our Seventh-grade students grew by 20 points, and our eighth-grade students grew by 15 points.

Bachelor of Business Administration, Aug 2008 - May 2013 - Fresno Pacific University - Major in Business Administration - Emphasis on Management. Master of Arts, Administrative Services, Aug 2021 - May 2025 - Fresno Pacific University - Final GPA: 4.0

I am the founder of the Abraham Lincoln Middle School Cornhole Club and currently serve as a member of the school's Climate and Culture team, as well as the School Site Council. Additionally, I hold the position of Administrative Designee on my school site and am an active participant in the Aspiring Administrator’s Academy Program within my school district.