Rané Garcia
Director, Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
After graduating from the University of Michigan, Rané fought for equity as a classroom teacher in Michigan, Texas, and Illinois. She then received her master’s degree from Grand Valley State University and became an elementary school principal in Jenison Public Schools, a suburb of Grand Rapids. In this new role she focused on the science of reading, hiring a student-centered team, and providing them the support and resources they needed. She led the implementation of systems of support in core academic areas and social skills. These systems were designed to meet the needs of all students, those who deserved extra support, as well as those who were ready for extra challenges. Culminating 16 years as a principal, Rané’s K-6 building was a nationally recognized Blue Ribbon School based on academic growth within groups.
In 2016, Rané returned to her hometown of Muskegon Heights, first as the assistant superintendent, then as the superintendent. During a five-year period, she worked to grow a strong team that prioritized rebuilding trust with families, created systems for stability, and focused on culturally relevant curriculum and pedagogy. During this time, she worked to provide the children of Muskegon Heights opportunities and access as she saw them available to children in suburban districts, refusing to believe that ‘good enough’ was ‘good enough’. Rané is grateful to have worked in each of these diverse school settings and roles where she hopes she provided as much joy, love, and learning as she received.
Rané is now the Director of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Michigan
Department of Education. She is honored to be in this position and working with districts, ISDs, and
professional organizations to improve access, opportunity, and belonging for all of Michigan’s public school students.
After graduating from the University of Michigan, Rané fought for equity as a classroom teacher in Michigan, Texas, and Illinois. She then received her master’s degree from Grand Valley State University and became an elementary school principal in Jenison Public Schools, a suburb of Grand Rapids. In this new role she focused on the science of reading, hiring a student-centered team, and providing them the support and resources they needed. She led the implementation of systems of support in core academic areas and social skills. These systems were designed to meet the needs of all students, those who deserved extra support, as well as those who were ready for extra challenges. Culminating 16 years as a principal, Rané’s K-6 building was a nationally recognized Blue Ribbon School based on academic growth within groups.
In 2016, Rané returned to her hometown of Muskegon Heights, first as the assistant superintendent, then as the superintendent. During a five-year period, she worked to grow a strong team that prioritized rebuilding trust with families, created systems for stability, and focused on culturally relevant curriculum and pedagogy. During this time, she worked to provide the children of Muskegon Heights opportunities and access as she saw them available to children in suburban districts, refusing to believe that ‘good enough’ was ‘good enough’. Rané is grateful to have worked in each of these diverse school settings and roles where she hopes she provided as much joy, love, and learning as she received.
Rané is now the Director of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Michigan
Department of Education. She is honored to be in this position and working with districts, ISDs, and
professional organizations to improve access, opportunity, and belonging for all of Michigan’s public school students.
