Erwin Garcia, Superintendent of Billings Public Schools, brings decades of experience and a purpose-driven mindset to the forefront of educational leadership. From embedding artificial intelligence into the elementary curriculum to reinstating the JROTC program in Montana’s largest city, Garcia’s approach reflects long-term thinking rooted in equity, readiness, and innovation.
Recognized for transforming Montana’s largest school district, Superintendent Garcia shares how equityfocused leadership, strategic innovation, and future-ready programs are driving meaningful, student-centered change across Billings Public Schools.
A Lifelong Mission to Empower Student
My career in education was always rooted in purpose and service. I came to the U.S. from Colombia at 23, holding a bachelor’s degree in education. From the start, I knew I wanted to make a meaningful impact on students’ lives. I began teaching in a suburban school serving a marginalized Hispanic community—the only povertydesignated school in the district. That experience solidified my belief that educational equity must be the foundation of any successful system.
In Houston ISD, I advanced from assistant principal to principal of Sanchez Elementary and DeAnda Elementary, where I focused on building high-performing learning environments. We formed strong instructional teams, implemented research-based programs, and established a culture centered on student outcomes. Both schools received state and national recognition, including Gold Ribbon Awards and honors from the National Center for Urban School Transformation—proof of what’s possible when educators unite around a shared purpose.
As a principal supervisor and area superintendent, I supported 55 campuses. In one year, we increased the number of A-rated schools from 10 to 30—a testament to the impact of systems and leadership. Two years ago, I became superintendent in Billings, Montana. Leading the state’s largest district, with over 16,500 students, I face familiar challenges: poverty, underfunding, and systemic gaps. But I also see opportunity. This role is not just another job; it’s a continuation of my mission to ensure every child has a clear, supported path to success.
Uniting a Community around Innovation and Equity
Creating better opportunities for children has always been at the heart of my work in education. To achieve that, we must build a futureready system that prepares students for life beyond the classroom.
At A Glance:
• Expanding College Access – Launched Montana’s first Early College High School and opened the Opportunity School, enabling hundreds of students to re-engage with academic pathways tailored to real-world goals.
“Are our actions meaningfully impacting student outcomes? That’s the question I ask every day because real leadership begins with clarity, purpose and a commitment to equipping students for life, not just graduation.”
• Championing AI in the Classroom – Integrated artificial intelligence into the Gifted and Talented curriculum for students as early as grade 3, bridging innovation and early learning.
• Investing in Teachers, Elevating the Profession – Delivered Billings’ largest educator pay increase in recent history, addressing retention while reinforcing the value of the teaching profession.
• Strengthening Community Partnerships – Expanded wraparound support with a Community Resource Center serving over 500 homeless youth and formalized family engagement through the Family Friendly School Program.
• Restoring Purpose-Driven Programs – Revived the long-absent JROTC program and deepened military, college, and career pathway offerings for all students.
Innovation drives this vision but depends on aligned resources like time, talent, and funding.
Our greatest asset is our people. That’s why we prioritize teachers, through intense training, quality materials, and a culture of coaching and feedback. Educators shaping strategies like the science of reading are key transformation partners.
But schools can’t do it alone. We launched the Family Friendly School Program and focus groups with teachers, families, and community leaders to guide decisions rooted in trust, equity, and inclusion.
Navigating Systemic Challenges with People First Solutions
At the heart of every high-performing school system is one truth: people drive progress. No initiative, however visionary, succeeds without dedicated educators. In Montana, low starting salaries make attracting and retaining talent a persistent challenge.
To address this, we implemented the largest raise in our district’s recent history—12.9 percent for new teachers and 5.9 percent across the board. This step wasn’t just about compensation but about elevating the teaching profession’s value. But pay alone doesn’t transform a system.
A strong school culture, meaningful collaboration, and engaged communities matter just as much. We’re building a district where educators feel supported and students are prepared for the future. Innovation has a cost, but the return is lasting student success.
Transformative Initiatives Driving Student Success
Over the past two years, we’ve launched transformative programs to boost engagement, close equity gaps, and expand opportunity. A key milestone was opening Montana’s first early college high school, giving students a head start on college, alongside the Opportunity School for credit-deficient students. Together with a new multilingual academy, these efforts have brought nearly 250 students back into the system.
We also introduced Kinder Ready to prepare four-year-olds with foundational reading and math skills and expanded our Gifted and Talented program. Beyond academics, our Community Resource Center supports over 500 homeless youth, while partnerships with universities like Concordia offer full-ride scholarships. These initiatives are reducing dropout rates and building sustainable, inclusive pathways to student success.
Equipping Every Student with Tools for Tomorrow
Preparing students for the future means equipping them not only for college but for life, and that starts with a curriculum grounded in today’s realities. After attending a national conference on artificial intelligence, I returned to Billings with a powerful question: How can we use AI today to prepare students for tomorrow?
We began embedding AI into the Gifted and Talented curriculum for 380 students in grades 3 to 5. Each developed a project—from robotics to mental health—using AI to explore, create, and solve problems. It’s not just about academics; it’s about nurturing innovation, creativity, and real-world thinking early on.
We’re also broadening college, career, and military pathways. This year, we revived the long-absent JROTC program, offering students structured, purpose-driven development. Partnerships with institutions like Concordia University now provide full-ride scholarships, ensuring financial barriers don’t block potential.
But readiness needs leadership grounded in clarity and trust. Guided by our community-shaped Graduate Profile, we define success not as a single endpoint, but as preparation for every student, on every path.
When we lead with transparency, align with purpose, and stay focused on students, we build not just systems, but futures.
