About the Principal

Mrs. Dahlia Belinda Garcia is the daughter of Ruben and Maria Elena Elizondo. She is married to Eliud Joel Garcia, Jr. and they are the proud parents of: Alexandra Janelle, Jocelyne Idahli, and Erick Javier Garcia.

Mrs. D. Garcia graduated from Zapata High School in 1991. She then went on to graduate from Texas A&M International University with a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies with a major in Bilingual Education in 1995. She received her Master of Science in Education Administration from Texas A&M International University in 2008. Her certifications include: Elementary Bilingual/ESL Grades (1-8), Elementary Self-Contained Grades (1-8), and Principal (EC-12).

Mrs. Dahlia Garcia’s teaching experience began as a 5th Grade English Language Arts/Reading Teacher at Zapata Middle School in 1995.  After one year, she moved to Los Fresnos, Texas and worked for Los Fresnos I.S.D. at Las Yescas Elementary School as a Self-Contained 3rd Grade Bilingual Teacher for the following two years. Upon her return to Zapata, she worked in Zapata South Elementary as a 2nd/3rd Grade Self-Contained/Math & Science Bilingual Teacher for the next twelve years. In 2010 she acquired the job as one of the Zapata Middle School Assistant Principals and remained there till 2014.

Mrs. Garcia enjoys spending time with her family and attending all her children’s academic and athletic events. Her children are active 4-H club members and raise lambs every year for the Zapata County Fair. Mrs. Garcia takes pride in working side by side with her husband teaching her children the importance of responsibility. Mrs. Garcia loves to read and learn any time she gets. She continues to be amazed at how technology has advanced throughout the years and how easily available information is for anyone. In other words, learning can be achieved at the click of a few keystrokes.

Mrs. Garcia is returning to Zapata South Elementary as the school principal this 2014-2015 school year. She is enthusiastic about this new endeavor and is focused on the continued success of the school. She believes that the campus is rich in qualified teachers/staff, enthusiastic learners, and supportive parents. With this, she is eager to work hard at promoting and facilitating a successful school year.