‘It Took Me So Long’: How Rolly Garcia Made Teaching His Career
Published: | by Alex Skov
As a high school student in the Philippines, Rolly Garcia wanted one thing: to be a teacher.
It didn’t happen, at least not immediately.
Financial constraints and a scholarship that didn’t cover an education degree steered him toward a bachelor’s degree in computer science instead, putting his teaching dreams on pause.
“It took me so long until I went, ‘I think this is what I [actually] want to do,” Garcia said.
Paused But Not Forgotten
Computer science jobs were hard to come by in the Philippines, and Garcia ended up employed in other roles until 2015, when he moved to Macon, Georgia. There, he put down roots, saved money, and eventually decided it was time to put his idea of working as a teacher to the test.
Like many professional educators, Garcia started as a substitute teacher. Over 10 months, he was able to work in elementary and middle school classrooms in his local school district, allowing him to explore which grades and subjects he might want to pursue if he committed to teaching full-time.
Things clicked at the middle school level, where he quickly bonded with students. It was fulfilling in a way the rest of his professional career hadn’t been.
“I easily became like a friend to them, so when they see me, they’d say, ‘You’re my favorite substitute!” Garcia recalled. “So I said, ‘I love this energy and this kind of routine.'”
It was settled: Garcia was finally ready to follow his dream, transitioning from substitute status to a full-time teaching role in Georgia’s Bibb County School District.
Rolly Garcia with some of his 100+ science students
Finding Moreland at the Right Moment
Finding the right path to teacher certification was Garcia’s next challenge — except it didn’t wind up being very challenging at all.
“When I attended my first-ever teacher orientation, day one, the first booth I saw was Moreland University,” he said.
The admissions representative was welcoming from the start, and when she explained Moreland’s TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program, the details fit Garcia’s goals: a 9-month, fully online program that included clinical learning, with the option to add on a master’s degree afterward.
The easy application process sealed the deal for Garcia.
“When I applied online, the communication was quick,” he said. “Everything was being supported, so I said, ‘This is the right platform for me.'”
Balancing Teacher Certification with a Full Schedule
Figuring out how to fit teacher certification coursework around an already full schedule can be challenging, but there are several proven approaches. Garcia chose to dedicate his weekends to schoolwork so he could focus on his faculty responsibilities throughout the week.
“There’s so much on [teachers’] plates already,” he said, “and when you add additional work, it’ll feel more overwhelming. But my plan was to really just prioritize everything based on what needs to be done first.”
It’s a straightforward strategy, but it made a major difference. Garcia graduated from TEACH-NOW just as he was finishing his first full year as a 6th grade science teacher.
Building Relationships First, Instruction Second
Garcia was quickly tasked with teaching some of his school’s most challenging students. Learning the curriculum, classroom management, and how to handle behavior in real-time was demanding, but it got easier once he leaned into a lesson from his time subbing.
“I tried to fit in with their age [and interests],” he said. “When I followed the trend and whatever they like, we became friends and buddies. After building this relationship, it’s no longer hard to teach them.”
It’s a philosophy that’s now set in stone for Garcia.
“Students never learn from teachers they don’t like,” he said. “If you have a good and strong relationship with your students, instruction will follow. That’s very important for me.”
The G.O.A.T. Award
Garcia prides himself on making science lessons engaging and making sure students feel seen. So, understanding not everyone would be honored at the school-wide end-of-year award ceremony, he “created a very different awards day” where each of his roughly 103 students received a medal at the end of the year, with the top student in each of his four class periods also receiving a bonus trophy.
Garcia dubbed these the G.O.A.T. Awards — or the Greatest of All Time Awards, to be precise — with each medal featuring an image of the hoofed animal.
“That moment felt like something I needed to do… and it’s something I hope they will remember for the rest of their life,” he said.
Based on his students’ reactions, it’s certainly something Garcia will never forget.
“I saw [their] genuine happiness,” he shared. “I wanted to let them feel that I see them, I know who you are and your abilities.”
Some students wore their medals for an entire week afterward, and it didn’t go unnoticed, as his principal shared photos on the school’s social media and parents thanked Garcia directly.
The GOAT trophy Rolly Garcia gave to the top student in each of his four class periods
Not Slowing Down
Garcia’s first term as a full-time teacher led to recognition of his own, as he was named a finalist for his district’s Emerging Educator of the Year award, based on nominations from his school’s principals, counselors, and academic coaches.
While he was “very happy and overwhelmed” by the acknowledgement, Garcia isn’t treating year one as a finish line. Taking advantage of Moreland’s 3-month M.Ed. Add-On program for TEACH-NOW graduates, he’s now working toward a master’s degree specializing in educational technology, hoping to combine his teaching skills with his computer science background.
“Year one’s always about preparing for your professional growth,” he said. “I will not stop learning because I think it’s important teachers are equipped with the right skills and knowledge so we can help our students become successful.”
Ready to turn your own teaching dream into a plan? Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program is fully accredited, 100% online, and can be completed in as little as 9 months.
Once you finish TEACH-NOW, you can add on a master’s degree in just 3 additional months — no separate application required.
Apply for free (it only takes about 15 minutes), and you’ll hear back within 2 business days.
