Growing up in the community of Glenside in Reading, Javier Garcia developed an interest in sports which were offered through the Reading School District. He participated in soccer, baseball and basketball, then in high school, baseball became his main focus. At this time, he began to seriously consider what he wanted to do as a career.
Javier explains, “I knew I wanted to help people through sports, like a mentor; a combination of being able to teach through sports, and also being part of a team. My mother, who worked at Reading High, obtained the necessary paperwork for a three-step college preparation program which, if completed, helped to make the transition from high school to college a little easier. The program involved three summers; two weeks during the first two summers and during the third summer you lived on campus which gave me a head start into college. It was here where he met his college academic advisor, Dr. Gene White. I graduated from Reading High School in 2006 and started at East Stroudsburg University where, through my love of sports, Dr. White understood me and the fact that I was the first person to go to college in my family. I majored in Health and Physical Education, graduating in 2010.”
After graduating from East Stroudsburg, Javier returned to his home in Reading and began working toward his career goal. “I began as a substitute teacher in the Reading School District from 2011 to 2012. I began teaching full time there in the fall of 2012 and have now been there for 14 years as a Physical Education teacher.”
With his eye on fulfilling his ambition to work in a sports setting, Javier saw the opportunity arise when he began substituting at Northeast Middle School, and began coaching baseball and basketball. “I have been coaching since I’ve been teaching,” he says.
“I coached middle and high school varsity baseball, middle and high school varsity soccer, middle school basketball.” From 2021-2025 I was an assistant coach for Penn State- Berks baseball. I ended up leaving Penn State- Berks in March because my uncle was hired as the new varsity baseball coach at Reading High and I went to work as his assistant.
During his summers off, Javier recognized the need to help give kids something to do to keep them busy and off the streets. In 2021, he established a legion baseball team for kids in Reading through Legion Post 962, George Washington Carver. As a summer baseball volunteer coach, he applied for grants from Berks Community Foundation and Berks Community Action Program to cover the costs of materials and equipment.
As player interest increased, Javier did the paperwork to get his team into the Berks County American Legion Baseball League where they played as The Reading Groundhogs. In 2024, they played in their first county tournament and regional tournament. It was the first time that a Reading team was in a regional tournament since the late 90’s. Javier has helped several players go on to play college baseball after high school.
An opportunity presents itself at every turn for Javier to serve as a mentor to the youth he works with in school and on the field. “I try to emphasize and encourage my students to aim for success in the future. I encourage them to move outside of their comfort zone and emphasize that sports will help build character and that the best part of their life is being part of team. For middle school students, I want them to tryout for sports and continue to stay involved in high school.”
Inspired by his own experiences, he offers the same guidance he once received as a young person deciding on his future. “I try to have conversations about school issues and see what their future plans are, and to expose them to college coaches. If they have a plan, what is their backup plan? Being able to be that mentor and coach, seeing the whole field is something I am able to pass on to them. The most rewarding aspect of my job is helping them plant their seeds for the future, and when they thank me for being an influence in their life.”
Javier lives in Reading and leads a busy life teaching, coaching, and mentoring countless young people while being the best dad he can to his two sons.
