As a parent and leader in our public schools, I see first-hand the challenges facing our children in our classrooms. Unfortunately, we have a school board chair and his majority ill equipped to meet the moment because they have made the choice to disengage from the communities which they are supposed to represent. I am running to change the culture of our board – to actively engage all families in Cobb County and make sure your voices are part of the decisions we make.
Micheal Garza for Cobb County School Board
Meet Micheal
Dedicated Father. Public Education Advocate. Community Leader. I am a small-business owner living in East Cobb with my wife and our eight-year-old daughter who attends a Cobb elementary school. I’m an active leader in our public schools, as a long-time leader in PTA, as co-founder of an organization that advocates for our students, and as a member of state educational advocacy groups who frequently holds town halls and community events about legislation that affects our schools.
I view my advocacy work in education as an extension of how I view my role as a father – to be a positive role model for my daughter in how we connect with those around us and stand up when we see a need in our community, even when it doesn’t affect us personally.
In my daily work within our schools, I have seen the positive things that can happen in our classrooms when we foster healthy relationships between parents and educators. The laughter of a classroom when a father reads a passage from their kid’s favorite book. The smile on the face of a caregiver when their child with exceptionalities is recognized for their achievements throughout the year.
While we may be divided politically, I see the promise of what we can do when we come together to do what is best for our kids. When I am planning an event or doing volunteer outreach to our parents, I don’t look at someone’s political affiliation. I don’t think about who they voted for in the last election. I think of how much better the classroom experience is for our kids when a teacher feels supported. I think of how much a child’s face lights up seeing their parents in the school actively supporting them and their classmates.
In my daily work within our schools, I have seen the positive things that can happen in our classrooms when we foster healthy relationships between parents and educators. The laughter of a classroom when a father reads a passage from their kid’s favorite book. The smile on the face of a caregiver when their child with exceptionalities is recognized for their achievements throughout the year.
While we may be divided politically, I see the promise of what we can do when we come together to do what is best for our kids. When I am planning an event or doing volunteer outreach to our parents, I don’t look at someone’s political affiliation. I don’t think about who they voted for in the last election. I think of how much better the classroom experience is for our kids when a teacher feels supported. I think of how much a child’s face lights up seeing their parents in the school actively supporting them and their classmates.
We have incredible teachers, staff, and administrators who do fantastic things in our local schools each and every day. Unfortunately we have leadership on our school board that does not value that work. Our board chair and his current majority have fired teachers for reading books from their local book fairs, have wasted millions of dollars defending election maps that divide our county along race, and have looked the other way when central office employees have targeted our students when they come to speak out about what’s important in our classrooms.
I’ve taught my daughter to stand up for those around us and that is what I am doing by running for our school board – standing up for our students and educators. I may live in Post 4, but I am running to represent all of the families that live in Cobb County. And as your board member, I promise to you that my focus is going to be on actively listening to your concerns, on going out into the community regularly to engage with you, and on providing the best educational experience for our children.
Unlocking the Potential in Every Child
Community Engagement
Our schools are at their best when parents are engaged and work as partners with our educators to improve the school environment for our children. We can bring that spirit of collaboration county-wide in fostering a culture within our district that welcomes and values community input as opposed to silencing it.
Student Safety & Well-Being
Keeping our kids safe requires a comprehensive approach that brings parents, teachers, and community leaders into the conversation. It means educating families on securing firearms in the home, addressing the mental health crisis in our children, and pushing state leaders to pass legislation to reduce gun violence in our communities.
Advocating For Our Kids
Every day our students face challenges in the classroom and some face more than others. For those members of our community who continually have to push for your child to receive the services they are entitled to in our schools, know that you are not alone. As your board member, I will always be an advocate for your student.
Turning the Page
For far too long, policies and actions by our district leadership have been driven by political partisanship that has done harm to our teachers and to our students. As your board member, I promise to you that my focus is going to be on providing the best educational experience for our children, not on winning the next election.
Support Our Campaign
Your contribution will help us spread our message to the residents of Post 4 and maximize turnout for our campaign. Every vote matters and will determine the direction of our school district for years to come.