Biography

Charity Garcia joined the SED faculty in June 2017. Prior to becoming faculty at Andrews University, she spent fifteen years teaching middle school and high school students in urban, rural, and international settings. She has experience working in Adventist, as well as public and non-profit educational systems. Dr. Garcia is passionate developing and supporting teachers to meet the needs of all learners - especially the most at-risk. She uses a trauma-informed approach to educational practices, and is particularly interested in researching the intersection of education, spiritual development, and trauma-informed educational practice. In addition to her roles in the School of Education she serves as the Director of K-12 Education at Andrews University's International Center for Trauma Education and Care. Dr. Garcia is also a Trust-based Relational Intervention (TBRI) Practitioner, Racial Healing Circle Facilitator, and Encounter Bible Curriculum Trainer. In her personal time she enjoys spending time with her daughter, gravel biking, growing her gardening skills, and supporting trauma-informed efforts throughout Berrien County.

Current Research or Professional Activities

Research

Garcia, C., Slikkers, I.W., Bailey, T. (2021). Shifting our lens: Practical trauma-informed approaches for educators.  The Journal of    Adventist Education (84)3, 12-18.

Garcia, C.H. (2019). Toward Christian-Identity Response Theory: Exploring identity, spirituality, and response to adversity among  African American males placed at risk. International Journal for Faith Integration (1),1, 1-25. Retrieved from  https://www.babcock.edu.ng/ijfi/vol1no1/Garcia_IFL_IC.

Garcia, C. & Boyd, C. (2019). Engaging in culturally relevant teaching: Lessons from the field. The Journal of Adventist Education (81)3,
17-23.

Chapters Contributed to Book/Volume

Garcia, C.H., Campbell, K.E., Slikkers, I.W., & Howell, M.D. (2019). When you get that student: Trauma-informed restorative responses.
In P. Kilgour & B. Christianson (Eds). Revealing Jesus in the Learning Environment: Experiences of Christian Educators.
Cooranbong, New South Wales: Avondale College Press.

Development of Online Course [OC]
Sullivan, E., Slikkers, I.W., Garcia, C., Baltazar, A. (2021). Mental Health for Educators [OC]. Adventist Learning Community. https://www.adventistlearningcommunity.com/courses/mental-health-training-for-educators

Presentations

Garcia, C. (2022, April 24). Trauma’s impact on academics (& what we can do about it!) [online]. Southeast California Conference Educators Professional Development.
Garcia, C. (2023, Mar. 30).  Approaches to build resilience through trauma-informed educational practices [online]. Andrews University Teaching and Learning Conference. Berrien Springs, MI.
Garcia, C. (2023, Mar. 17). Actionizing trauma-informed educational practice. TriCounty HeadStart Expo. Dowagiac, MI.
Garcia, C. & Williams, A. (2023, Feb. 23). FOCUS Camp: Trauma-informed summer learning [Conference session]. Creating Trauma Sensitive Schools Conference [online]. https://www.attachmenttraumanetwork.org/conference/
Garcia, C. & Slikkers, I.W. (2023, Feb. 17). Empowering Principles & Correcting Principles. TBRI Caregiver Training. Berrien Springs, MI.
Garcia, C. & Slikkers, I.W. (2023, Feb. 10). Connecting Principles & Empowering Principles. TBRI Caregiver Training. Berrien Springs, MI.
Garcia, C. & Slikkers, I.W. (2023, Feb. 3). TBRI Introduction and Connecting Principles. TBRI Caregiver Training. Berrien Springs, MI.
Garcia, C. (2022, Jan.18). Trauma informed responses to shutdown behaviors [online]. Southeast California Conference Educators Professional Development.
Garcia, C. (2022, Dec. 5). Trauma informed responses to aggressive and defiant behavior [online]. Southeast California Conference Educators Professional Development.
Garcia, C. & Slikkers, I.W. (2022, Sept. 26). Diversity and inclusion from a trauma-informed lens [online]. Southeast California Conference Education Administrators Meetings.
Garcia, C. (2022, Aug. 25-26). TBRI for Teachers. Sylvester Elementary School . Berrien Springs, MI.
Garcia, C. (2022, Aug. 22). Trauma informed educational practice: the brain, self-care, & community care [online]. Lake Region Conference Educators Inservice 2022.
Corredera, V., Day, H., Garcia, C., Gayle, M., Hucks, W., Miller, N., Nixon, M., & Skinner, J. Anti-racist pedagogies and diversity, equity and inclusion strategies in the higher education classroom. Andrews University Faculty Institute. Berrien Springs, MI (August 2022).
Garcia, C. & Slikkers, I.W. (2022, June 30). Diversity and inclusion from a trauma-informed lens [online]. Southeast California Conference Education Administration Meetings.

Garcia, C. & Slikkers, I.W. (2022, June 16). Correcting principles [online]. TBRI Caregiver Training. CASA of Southwest Michigan, Inc.
Garcia, C. & Slikkers, I.W. (2022, May 19). Empowering principles, part II. [online & in-person]. TBRI Caregiver Training. CASA of Southwest Michigan, Inc. at Andrews University.
Garcia, C. & Slikkers, I.W. (2022, Apr. 14). Empowering principles, part I. [online]. TBRI Caregiver Training. CASA of Southwest Michigan, Inc.
Garcia, C. (2022, April 13). Coach or warden?. Sylvester Elementary School General Staff Professional Development. Berrien Springs, MI.
Garcia, C. (2022, April 7). TBRI implementation considerations & tiered supports. Sylvester Elementary School Trauma Leadership Team Professional Development. Berrien Springs, MI.
Garcia, C. & Williams, A. “Early Implementation of Trauma-Informed Educational Practice in Grades 3-5”. Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum Conference. Andrews University. Berrien Springs, MI. March 31, 2022.
Garcia, C. & Slikkers, I.W. (2022, Mar. 17). Connecting Principles Part II. [online]. TBRI Caregiver Training. CASA of Southwest Michigan, Inc.
Garcia, C. & Slikkers, I.W. (2022, Mar. 4). Empower Principles & Correcting Principles. TBRI Caregiver Training. Berrien Springs, MI.
Garcia, C. & Slikkers, I.W. (2022, Feb. 25). Connecting Principles & Empowering Principles. TBRI Caregiver Training. Berrien Springs, MI.
Garcia, C. & Slikkers, I.W. (2022, Feb. 18). TBRI Introduction and Connecting Principles. TBRI Caregiver Training. Berrien Springs, MI.
Garcia, C. & Slikkers, I.W. (2022, Feb. 17). Connecting Principles Part I. [online]. TBRI Caregiver Training. CASA of Southwest Michigan, Inc.
Garcia, C. (2022, Feb. 9). Trauma-informed child study team meetings. Sylvester Elementary School Trauma Leadership Team Professional Development. Berrien Springs, MI.
Garcia, C. (2022, Feb. 9). The tired realities. Sylvester Elementary School General Staff Professional Development. Berrien Springs, MI.
Garcia, C. & Slikkers, I.W. (2022, Jan. 20). Introduction to TBRI. [online]. TBRI Caregiver Training. CASA of Southwest Michigan, Inc.
Garcia, C. (2022, Jan 12). Shut down behaviors. Sylvester Elementary General Staff Professional Development. Berrien Springs, MI.
Garcia, C. & Slikkers, I.W. (2022, Jan. 25). Introduction to trauma-informed education. Berrien Springs Public Schools Administrative Team. Berrien Springs, MI.
Garcia, C. (2021, Dec. 2). Shut down behaviors. Sylvester Elementary Trauma Leadership Team Professional Development. Berrien Springs, MI.
Garcia, C. (2021, Nov. 10). What’s predictable is preventable. Sylvester Elementary School General Staff Professional Development. Berrien Springs, MI.
Slikkers, I.W. & Garcia, C. (2021). Module 1: Biblical Foundations [OC lecture]. In E. Sullivan, I.W. Slikkers, C. Garcia, & A. Baltazar, Mental Health for Educators. Adventist Learning Community. https://www.adventistlearningcommunity.com/courses/mental-health-training-for-educators

Garcia, C., & Wilczynski, S. (2021) Module 2: Strategies for working with students with depression [OC lecture]. In E. Sullivan, I.W. Slikkers, C. Garcia, & A. Baltazar, Mental Health for Educators. Adventist Learning Community. https://www.adventistlearningcommunity.com/courses/mental-health-training-for-educators

Garcia, C., Jimenez, Y, & Powell, S. (2021) Module 3: Strategies for working with students with anxiety [OC lecture]. In E. Sullivan, I.W. Slikkers, C. Garcia, & A. Baltazar, Mental Health for Educators. Adventist Learning Community. https://www.adventistlearningcommunity.com/courses/mental-health-training-for-educators

Garcia, C. & Anderson, D. (2021) Module 4: Strategies for working with students with eating disorders [OC lecture]. In E. Sullivan, I.W. Slikkers, C. Garcia, & A. Baltazar, Mental Health for Educators. Adventist Learning Community. https://www.adventistlearningcommunity.com/courses/mental-health-training-for-educators

Garcia, C. & Esposito, C. (2021) Module 5: Strategies for working with students with psychosis [OC lecture]. In E. Sullivan, I.W. Slikkers, C. Garcia, & A. Baltazar, Mental Health for Educators. Adventist Learning Community. https://www.adventistlearningcommunity.com/courses/mental-health-training-for-educators

Garcia, C., Strickle, K., Fish, L, & Sohn, L. (2021) Module 6: Strategies for working with students with substance abuse [OC lecture]. In E. Sullivan, I.W. Slikkers, C. Garcia, & A. Baltazar, Mental Health for Educators. Adventist Learning Community. https://www.adventistlearningcommunity.com/courses/mental-health-training-for-educators

Garcia, C. & Henri, D. (2021) Module 7: Strategies for working with students with ADD/ADHD [OC lecture]. In E. Sullivan, I.W. Slikkers, C. Garcia, & A. Baltazar, Mental Health for Educators. Adventist Learning Community. https://www.adventistlearningcommunity.com/courses/mental-health-training-for-educators

Garcia, C., Garcia, D., & Hill, M. (2021) Module 8: Strategies for working with students with suicide & self-harm [OC lecture]. In E. Sullivan, I.W. Slikkers, C. Garcia, & A. Baltazar, Mental Health for Educators. Adventist Learning Community. https://www.adventistlearningcommunity.com/courses/mental-health-training-for-educators

Slikkers, I.W. & Garcia, C. (2021) Module 10: Conclusion [OC lecture]. In E. Sullivan, I.W. Slikkers, C. Garcia, & A. Baltazar, Mental Health for Educators. Adventist Learning Community. https://www.adventistlearningcommunity.com/courses/mental-health-training-for-educators
Garcia, C. (2021, Oct. 28). Using the ALSUP as part of child-study team meetings. Sylvester Elementary School Trauma Leadership Team Professional Development. 
Slikkers, I.W., Garcia, C., & Malibrigo, H. (2021, October 22). International Center for Trauma Education and Care [Poster presentation]. Celebration of Research, Andrews University, Berrien Springs, MI.
Garcia, C., & Slikkers, I.W.  (2021, October 14). Developing Trauma Informed Schools [virtual]. Potomic Conference Corporations of Seventh-day Adventists Educator Professional Development.
Garcia, C. (2021, Sept. 15). Becoming more trauma-informed. Sylvester Elementary School General Staff Professional Development. Berrien Springs, MI.
Garcia, C. & Slikkers, I.W. (2021, Aug. 24). Trauma 101: Trauma-informed educational approach. Sylvester Elementary School Professional Development. Berrien Springs, MI.
Garcia, C., & Slikkers, I.W. “Healing Racial Trauma Through Classroom Presence and Practice”. Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum    Conference. Andrews University, Berrien Springs, MI. March 25, 2021.
Garcia, C. & Slikkers, I.W. "Becoming Partners in Restoration: Looking at our Youth through the Trauma Lens." E.L. Minchin
Lectureship. Andrews University, Berrien Springs, MI. Feb. 28, 2021.

Garcia, C. & Wilczynski, S. "Revealing Jesus in our learning environment: supporting student healing through trauma-sensitive
relationships." E.L. Minchin Lectureship. Andrews University, Berrien Springs, MI. Feb. 28, 2021.

Wilczynski, S., Joseph, J. and Jimenez, Y. (with Charity Garcia). "Impact of trauma on academic performance: Revealing Jesus in the
learning environment." E.L. Minchin Lectureship. Andrews University, Berrien Springs, MI. Feb. 28, 2021.

Baltazar, E., Garcia, C., & Slikkers, I.W., (2020, April 28). Strategies for ourselves & our students. In E. Sullivan & C. Nielsen (Chairs),
How teachers can conquer emotional challenges during COVID-19 and beyond. [a trauma-informed, Biblically-grounded webinar is a partnership between Andrews University International Center for Trauma Education & Care, North American Division Department of Education, and the Adventist Learning Community is designed to help educators meet the needs of their students during and post COVID-19 while supporting their own emotional well-being] NAD Department of Education COVID-19 Webinar Series, https://aecovid.com/resources/webinar-recap-for-how-teachers-can-conquer-emotional-challenges-during-covid-19-and-beyond.