After her years as a teacher, Garrett joined the Oklahoma State Department of Education as the Gifted and Talented Programs Coordinator.
She played a pivotal role in implementing the state's Learning by Satellite program and in establishing a two-way interactive fiber-optic instruction system in the Panhandle region drew national attention to Oklahoma in the 1980s.
In 1990, Garrett was the first woman elected to serve as the Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Additionally, since taking office in 1991, she claims to have downsized the department, saving taxpayers a cumulative $52.7 million.
Increasing academic standards, improving reading skills, bringing technology to the classroom and making schools safer were public relations initiatives.