Plaza named Garcia Elementary principal

Janeth Plaza has been named the new principal of Gonzalo and Sofia Garcia Elementary School in the Canutillo

Independent School District. She will begin her new role on July 7, following the summer break.

Plaza currently serves as assistant principal at Garcia Elementary and has spent most of her career in education with Canutillo ISD.

“I have every confidence she will take Garcia Elementary to the next level of academic excellence,” said Superintendent Dr. Pedro Galaviz. “Ms. Plaza is proof that Canutillo grows its own leaders and prepares them for great success.”

Plaza began her career in 2005 as a classroom teacher at Jose Damian Elementary School, where she served until 2021, with the exception of one year teaching abroad with the Department of Defense Education Activity in Germany.

She later served as an instructional coach and assistant principal at Damian from 2021 to 2024 before transitioning to Garcia Elementary.

Plaza earned a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies with honors from the University of Texas at El Paso and a master’s degree in educational administration from Texas A&M University.

She will succeed current principal Maria Alarcon, who is set to retire at the end of June.