Martin Middle School Renames Library, Honors University Alumnus Octavio ‘O.B.’ Garcia
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The Corpus Christi Independent School District (CCISD) Board of Trustees recently voted to rename the Martin Middle School Library in honor of Octavio “O.B.” Garcia, Teacher Recruitment Coordinator at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. The official name of the library will be the O. B. Garcia Library.
During his 34-year career with CCISD, Garcia served in many administrative roles. He served as a math teacher at Cunningham Middle School; Assistant Principal at Northside/Coles Junior High School, Miller High School; and Principal at Martin Middle School and South Park Middle School. Under his guidance and direction, many prominent CCISD members developed and perfected their leadership skills. An active member of the Corpus Christi Education Foundation, he has also served as President of the Board of Directors.
“Education has always been my passion,” said Garcia. “I am honored to receive this recognition and am grateful for the support that I have received from the community for my commitment to a field that I love.”
Despite retiring in 1993, Garcia has remained involved in education and continues to work part-time in the College of Education at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. In addition, he has also served as a University Adjunct Professor, and as President of the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi National Alumni Association Board of Directors. Garcia is a 1954 graduate, who received his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, from the University of Corpus Christi, now Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
This latest honor will be added to a long list of achievements including Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 2008 Athletic Hall of Honor Inductee; San Diego, Texas, ISD 1995 Hall of Honor Inductee; 1992 and1987 Top Secondary Principal in Corpus Christi; and May 17, 1985 proclaimed “O.B. Garcia Day” by the City of Corpus Christi.
In addition, Garcia was named 2011 Educator of the Year by Alpha Delta Kappa District IV, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 2008 Distinguished Alumnus, A&M-Corpus Christi 2005 Outstanding Alumnus, and Texas Outstanding Secondary School Principal of the Year for 1992.
Garcia, who is a native of San Diego, Texas, has held a number of leadership roles during his professional career including serving on the Board of Directors of the Texas Association of School Principals, as President of the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals, and as Executive Director of the Corpus Christi Principals and Supervisors Association. Garcia has also given back to the South Texas community.
He has been a Red Cross Volunteer in the Disaster Services field for more than 40 years and served as Chairman of the local chapter of the Red Cross board on two separate terms. Garcia is also a founding member of the Corpus Christi Education Foundation.
