EL PASO, Texas — A 39-year-old teacher from Austin has died after being swept by away by water while hiking in El Paso.

According to a report by the El Paso Times, the El Paso Fire Department received a call about a lost hiker at 4 p.m. Monday. Christina Garcia-Mata’s body was found before 6 p.m. that day in the Franklin Mountains. The El Paso Police Department ruled her death an accident.

Garcia-Mata had been a teacher at Akins Early College High School since 2006. She is originally from El Paso. According to her online bio, Garcia-Mata, a wife and mother, graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso where she majored in history and minored in Chicano studies.

In her bio, Garcia-Mata discusses her excitement for the 2021 school year and outlines her approach to education.

“As an educator, my goals are to help students discover their strengths and cultivate a classroom environment that allows students to challenge themselves to take healthy risks and grow as young adults. I am a dedicated educator who loves being able to work with the youth of South Austin and I do my very best to educate, equip, and empower them to take on the challenges they will inevitably face,” she wrote.

Austin ISD Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Elizalde on Wednesday issued the following statement to Spectrum News 1:

“We are shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of a member of our Austin ISD family. Christina Garcia-Mata was a dedicated and passionate educator who worked endlessly for her students for 15 years. Her colleagues knew her as a bright, warm presence who could lift their spirits with a smile and a story. We send our heartfelt condolences to her family and every life that she touched. Austin ISD is making guidance counselors available to students or staff who may need help processing this loss. To speak to a counselor, please contact the Akins ECHS campus at (512) 841-9901.”

A GoFundMe campaign has been started for Garcia-Mata’s loved ones.