When you walk into Ms. Gloria Garza-Well’s classroom, you quickly learn that she’s more than just a history teacher. She’s a mentor, an advocate, and a driving force for student engagement at Chandler High School.
Garza-Wells is primarily a 9th-grade world history teacher, but also teaches upper-level courses like Mexican-American History and African-American History. Next semester, she’ll add social psychology to her roster. Beyond the classroom, she co-sponsors the Latino Student Union, the MECHA club, Young Life, and the Los Lobos Folklorico dance group. A clear sign of her dedication is her commitment to creating spaces where students can connect, express themselves, and celebrate their culture.
Raised in South Tucson, Ms. Garza-Wells grew up in a predominantly Hispanic community and attended high school during the tense racial climate of the 1990s. That environment, along with the encouragement of a supportive school administration, shaped her passion for teaching. “I wanted to be the person I needed when I was younger,” she said, crediting her Latino teachers with instilling in her a deep pride in her heritage.
Outside of school, Garza-Wells leads the Instituto de Folklore Mexicano Dance Company, participates in multiple leadership organizations, and is currently enrolled in graduate school. Even with four children, she somehow still finds the time to mentor young people and advocate for family and student rights across Arizona.
Her favorite part of teaching? The relationships. “I treat my students like my kids,” she said. “Sometimes I see sides of them that even their parents don’t, and that’s a privilege.”
When it comes to history, the Civil Rights Movement is Garza-Wells’ favorite topic to teach because it allows her to spotlight often overlooked Black and Brown contributions to social change. Her advice to incoming freshmen is simple but powerful: “Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future. Friends can make or break you.”
Although she jokes about being shy and preferring the background, Ms. Garza-Wells is already looking ahead into the future, possibly in politics. “I’d like to run for something in the next five years,” she said with a smile. Whether in the classroom, in the community, or maybe someday in public office, Ms. Garza-Well’s commitment to empowering others remains the heart of her story.
