Iris Thomas Garcia
Political platform statement
Iris Thomas Garcia is a dedicated leader committed to driving positive change in our community. With a proven track record of success, she has the experience and passion to address the critical issues facing our society. Her steadfast dedication and innovative approach make her the ideal candidate to lead us towards a brighter future.
Iris Thomas Garcia was born in the Dominican Republic. Garcia's father's work forced the family to travel and relocate often. Though she had begun college in Puerto Rico, the family had moved to Florida before she could complete her degree. Arriving in Florida with "no job experience, no knowledge of English, and no connections," she landed her first job answering phones at Manatee Rural Health Clinic.
As her grasp of the language improved, Garcia worked as an English tutor for Title I Migrant students at Palmetto Elementary School. She eventually returned to college to complete her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Educational Leadership.
As her career progressed, Garcia became Dean of Students at Southeast High School and an adult education teacher at Manatee Technical Institute. She also completed coursework from USF to qualify as a Mental Health Therapist for Centerstone Behavioral Health alongside Child Protective Services.