Arnn Teacher Remembered By students, Faculty at Dedication Ceremony

‘We think of her as a princess’
By Dustin Perry Torii Editor

Photo by Dustin Perry
A dedication ceremony for Valerie R. Garza was held Friday at Arnn Elementary School for the first-grade teacher, who died
May 6. Teachers and students recalled their memories of Garza and later dedicated two trees and a bench in her honor.

A dedication ceremony for Valerie R. Garza was held Friday at Arnn Elementary School for the first-grade teacher, who died May 6. Teachers and students recalled their memories of Garza and later dedicated two trees and a bench in her honor.

Valerie R. Garza, a first-grade teacher at Arnn Elementary School, was described as “genuine,” “dedicated” and “memorable” by fellow faculty members, students and parents who paid tribute to her memory during a ceremony Friday.

Following the many heartfelt anecdotes that recalled the life and career of Garza, a pair of dogwood trees was planted on the campus next to a wooden bench bearing her name to serve as a permanent reminder of the educator’s lasting and far-reaching influence.


Photo by Dustin Perry
Sue Morin, left, principal of Arnn Elementary School, gives remarks Friday at the school during a dedication ceremony for Valerie R. Garza, a first-grade teacher there who died May 6. Two dogwood trees were planted next to a bench in her honor.

Garza died May 6 at Tokyo Metropolitan Hiroo Hospital from complications related to a pre-existing heart arrhythmia condition, according to a Department of Defense Education Activity news release. She was 32 years old.

The principal at Arnn told those in attendance that Garza’s legacy would continue to fill students’ and faculty members’ days with “her loving thoughts, her warm smiles, her signature looks, and her love for children and school.”

“Imagine the memories that we will continue to reflect and keep, share and celebrate, and embrace and keep close,” said Sue Morin during her remarks. “Imagine our Mrs. Garza, knowing that we are all here today, finding the courage to share some of the many things that we will always love about her.”

Garza, a former social worker, began teaching at Arnn in 2003. She quickly built a reputation as a compassionate and dedicated educator, Morin said in the DoDEA release.

Following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Garza and her husband Alex established the Isaiah Institute, a charitable organization that raised money to help people living in affected areas of the island of Sri Lanka.

“When I think of Mrs. Garza, I immediately think of her being … in her element at Arnn,” the principal continued at the ceremony. “Magic and acceptance always filled Mrs. Garza’s classroom. No matter if you were a student, a parent volunteer, a co-teacher, or one who happened to walk by her classroom – any time, any day – you felt that presence.”

Several of Garza’s current and former students attested to her warm and caring nature and shared memories and experiences from their time spent in her classroom.

“My first teacher in Japan was Mrs. Garza,” one student said. “She was a very nice teacher. She had a bright and cheerful smile every day. Mrs. Garza made me look forward to coming to school each day.”

“Mrs. Garza was a very cool person; she was an angel,” added another. “We all dressed up and princes and princesses [today] because we think of Mrs. Garza as a princess. She loved to teach, she loved to smile, and she loved to party.”

Morin praised Garza’s dedication to her students, as well as the unique and all-inclusive approach she took when teaching them.

“To be different was an expectation of Mrs. Garza,” said Morin. “So if you were the Artist, the Reader, the Mathematician, the Scientist, the Geographer, the Musician, the Athlete, the Thinker, or even the Tinkerer, every student made up a wonderful mosaic of learners in her classroom every school year.”

A musical tribute was held after the planting of the trees and the bench dedication. A local gospel choir sang a song, followed by the playing of the “Somewhere Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World” medley – one of Garza’s favorites – by Hawaiian artist Israel Kamakawiwo’ole. Finally, the crowd was encouraged to participate in the “Freeze Dance,” a signature activity in Garza’s classroom.

Garza was “a master of her craft” and will be “a very-much missed member of our learning community,” concluded Morin.

Garza is survived by her husband Alex and their 2-year-old son Israel, her parents Charles and Deborah Glover, and her siblings Kimberly, Joanna and David.

DoDEA Pacific Mourns Loss of Gifted Educator

TOKYO, Japan (30 March 2011) Valerie R. Garza on stage with her class as part of the “Character Storybook Parade”—a culminating activity in conjunction with the Arnn ES school-wide Read Across America celebrations held throughout March. Garza, a first-grade teacher at Arnn ES located on Camp Zama in the outskirts of Tokyo, passed away on May 6 at Tokyo Metropolitan Hiroo Hospital (photo courtesy of Arnn ES/Released).

TOKYO, Japan — Arnn Elementary School first-grade teacher Valerie R. Garza, 32, died May 6 at Tokyo Metropolitan Hiroo Hospital following complications related to a medical emergency that occurred on May 1.

“Valerie always put children first—in her decision-making, planning, and efforts,” according to Arnn ES Principal Sue Morin, “When students were in her classroom and in and around the school, her sole focus remained children, giving them her undivided attention and genuine care.”

Garza began her Department of Defense Dependents Schools career as a Kindergarten teacher at Arnn ES in 2003 after an initial career in social work. She earned her bachelor’s degree in social work and elementary certification from Oral Roberts University.

In addition to leading a vibrant classroom full of eager and active learners, Garza contributed to several school-wide activities including Children’s Theater, Multicultural Day and several others. Colleagues recalled how she made Read Across America Day especially delightful for children by dressing up as a story-book character and being “more real than the character itself.”

Her generous nature extended well beyond the school walls. Garza and her husband Alex were so moved by the tragic aftermath of the historic 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, they established a charitable foundation called the Isaiah Institute to provide humanitarian aid, educational and social services, and container buildings to refugee camps in remote areas of Sri Lanka.

Morin said Garza was a self-reflective master teacher who was exceptionally dedicated to her students, “She always searched for new ideas and innovations to try with her students to keep them activated in their learning. She yearned for constructive feedback from peers and administrators so that she would ‘do right’ by her students and families.”

Garza is survived by her husband of 11 years, Alex, and their two-year old son Israel. She is also survived by her parents Charles and Deborah Glover and her siblings, Kimberly, Joanna, and David.

Arnn ES will host a “Prince and Princess Day” ceremony to honor Valerie Garza Friday at 2:45 p.m. The ceremony will be a fitting tribute to her zest for creative expression and special ability to bring out the very best in children. During learning breaks, her students would don pink tiaras and princely crowns as she led dance parties to an eclectic soundtrack of Rick Springfield, Dolly Parton and Michael Jackson.

The ceremony is open to the public. Please contact the school for additional information at 267-6602 or 0428-69-6602.

Zama elementary school loses a teacher, a humanitarian

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — A school teacher from Camp Zama died late last week, Defense Department Education Activity announced Wednesday

Valerie R. Garza, 32, a first-grade teacher at Arnn Elementary School died Friday at Tokyo Metropolitan Hiroo Hospital, according to a DODEA news release.

The Isaiah Institute, a charitable foundation Garza helped found in 2005, posted a message on its Facebook page Tuesday that said she died from complications related to a pre-existing heart arrhythmia condition.

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