Bay Path Graduate Desirée Garcia ’16 Named 2027 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year
Springfield kindergarten educator recognized for helping children build skills and confidence through dual-language learning
Bay Path University graduate Desirée Garcia '16 has been named the 2027 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year, the Commonwealth’s highest honor for teachers. Governor Maura Healey announced the recognition during a surprise assembly at Springfield’s German Gerena Community School, where Garcia teaches kindergarten in the school’s Spanish-English dual-language program.
Selected from 347 nominations statewide, Garcia was recognized for her commitment to helping children develop foundational academic skills while celebrating their languages and cultural identities. Now in her eleventh year of teaching, she is the third Springfield Public Schools educator to receive the honor.
Garcia’s commitment to education includes her own experience returning to school to strengthen her skills. She earned her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Bay Path in 2016 and holds a master’s degree in early childhood education from American International College. She also completed additional preparation in bilingual and dual-language education at the University of Massachusetts.
At German Gerena, Garcia works alongside fellow kindergarten teacher Sol Ivette Santiago. Their classrooms are across the hall from one another, with each teaching 20 children at a time. Garcia provides instruction primarily in English, while Santiago teaches primarily in Spanish. Together, they help children develop literacy and academic skills in both languages.
Their work serves a community where multilingual education has particular significance. According to Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education data for 2025–26, 30.1% of Springfield Public Schools students have a first language other than English. Garcia and her colleagues build on the languages and cultural experiences children bring to school, helping students connect their learning with their lives at home.
Garcia also contributes to teaching and learning beyond her classroom through her school’s Instructional Leadership Team, math instruction team, and DIRE (Diversity, Inclusion, Representation, Equity) group. She previously received a Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Award in 2024.
As Massachusetts Teacher of the Year, Garcia will serve as an ambassador for the teaching profession, participate in speaking engagements across the Commonwealth, and represent Massachusetts as its candidate for National Teacher of the Year.
Garcia joins another educator with Bay Path ties in earning the statewide distinction. Dr. De’Shawn Washington, the 2024 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year, is an adjunct professor in Bay Path’s School of Education, Psychology & Humanities. He also mentors Springfield paraprofessionals working toward teacher licensure through the University’s Pathways to Teaching program.
For Garcia, the recognition offers an opportunity to share the value of the work she and her colleagues do every day.
“Bilingualism is a powerful asset, and I have seen students thrive when their language, culture and identity are honored in the classroom,” Garcia said.