Together We…Encourage
Brandin Garcia, a Think Together team member of 12 years, provides a top-tier program as a site coordinator at the STEAM Academy at Osburn Burke Middle School in Think Together’s Santa Fe Springs region. Throughout his tenure at Burke Middle School, Brandin has emphasized student agency for his sixth through eighth grade students. At Brandin’s program, there are a variety of student-led clubs such as gardening, journalism, and the Bob Ross Club. Brandin is known throughout the Santa Fe Springs region for his mentorship of new middle school site coordinators. Brandin is a team player and impacts students and peers by leading by example. We are thrilled to give you the opportunity to get to know Brandin!
What is your Think Together “why?”
I have a couple of “whys” for working here. My first “why” is to provide a safe space for kids and teens to be free and express themselves; a place where they can feel heard and seen. My second “why” is for the families who rely on free programs like Think Together. My mother was a single parent of three and worked overtime multiple times a week to provide for me and my siblings when we were younger. Having a safe place for us after school helped our family be financially stable and gave my mother peace of mind.
Is there a student story that has stuck with you from your time at Think Together?
Multiple student stories stick out to me, but one story is about Marcus, who was an eighth-grade student at Richard Graves Middle School. At the end of the school year, I received an e-mail from the principal that read, “When these kids were seventh-graders last year at the end of the year we had 123 who would not have made it. This year was only 27, that’s almost a 100-kid difference, and Think Together was part of it. Thanks for the help, especially with Marcus.” Marcus was an eighth-grade student with all Fs and many of the teachers had lost hope in him. When Marcus joined the program, I was able to work with him and help bring all his grades up. He graduated that year with his highest grade being an A and his lowest grade being a C-. At his promotion, with tears in his eyes, Marcus shared with me how grateful he was that I did not let him give up.
What is one thing you have learned from your students at Burke Middle School?
One thing I have learned from my students here at Burke is that a student is not defined by a moment. These students are growing and maturing every day and as educators, we cannot allow ourselves to give up on any student due to their not-so-good moments. We must see the best in them and encourage them to see themselves as we see them: as a person with the power to thrive regardless of their circumstances or what others may say about them.
What is the best piece of advice you have received that you like to share with others?
The best piece of advice that I’ve received is to stay true to myself regardless of the noise around me. A dead fish can go with the flow, but it takes a living fish to swim against the current.
What do you hope that the 8th grade students will take with them as they get ready to enter high school?
My team and I encourage our students to be true to themselves and not just follow the crowds. If there’s something they are interested in, they should pursue it regardless of who’s going with them. It’s easy for students to think that their friends are their whole world in middle school. But their world will expand, and I don’t want them to look back in regret over the opportunities they turned down just because their friends weren’t interested too. I hope they go into high school confident to do the things that make them happy and make the most of the next four years.
What are the professional goals you are hoping to accomplish this year?
I truly enjoy being a site coordinator, but if the opportunity presents itself, I wouldn’t be opposed to seeking a quality assurance coach position at Think Together. I’m also open to the doors that may open for me to pursue a career as a probation officer or social worker.
Outside of work, what do you do for fun?
I love spending my free time pouring into the next generation as a high school youth leader at my church. I also enjoy traveling, hiking, and running. I recently ran my second half marathon this past February.