For some children, starting school also means learning to navigate a language different from the one spoken at home. At German Gerena Community School in Springfield, Massachusetts, kindergarten teacher Desirée Garcia is helping young learners develop academic skills in two languages while encouraging them to take pride in their cultural identities. Her work in a Spanish-English dual-language programme has now earned her one of the state’s highest professional recognitions.Garcia has been named the 2027 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year, following a surprise announcement by Governor Maura Healey during a school assembly on October 29, 2026. She was selected from 347 nominations submitted across the state and will represent Massachusetts as its candidate for the National Teacher of the Year award. She is the 65th recipient of the state honour.
Teaching children to learn in two languages
Garcia is in her 11th year of teaching and her fourth year working in a dual-language programme. At German Gerena Community School, she works alongside fellow kindergarten teacher Sol Ivette Santiago, with each educator leading instruction in a different language.Garcia facilitates the English portion of the programme, while Santiago teaches primarily in Spanish. Their classrooms are located across the hall from each other, and each teacher works with 20 children at a time.The programme aims to help students develop foundational literacy and academic skills in both languages. Alongside reading, writing and other classroom lessons, the teachers create an environment where children can feel comfortable with their cultural backgrounds and identities.For Garcia, recognising a child’s home language is an important part of the learning process. She believes that bilingualism should be treated as an educational strength rather than something children need to leave behind when they enter school.“Bilingualism is a powerful asset, and I have seen students thrive when their language, culture and identity are honored in the classroom,” Garcia said. She added that she hoped the recognition would encourage more school communities to introduce dual-language classes.
Meet Desirée Garcia, the kindergarten teacher helping children learn in English and Spanish. (Photo: FB)
Professional learning beyond the classroom
Garcia’s work also involves professional development and collaboration with other educators. She has completed additional training in bilingual and dual-language education at the University of Massachusetts and has given presentations on dual-language teaching.She holds a master’s degree in early childhood education from American International College and a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Bay Path University. At German Gerena, she is also part of the Instructional Leadership Team, the mathematics instruction team and the school’s Diversity, Inclusion, Representation and Equity group.Her work reflects the collaborative approach of the school’s dual-language programme, where teachers coordinate instruction to support children’s development across both languages.Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez highlighted Garcia’s contribution, particularly her approach to recognising students’ linguistic backgrounds.“Ms. Garcia shows what is possible when we honor every child’s language as an asset. In her classroom, 5-year-olds are becoming readers, writers, and thinkers in two languages,” Martinez said. He also expressed hope that more schools would introduce dual-language programmes.Governor Healey, who announced the award alongside First Lady Joanna Lydgate and other state and school officials, said Garcia helps children discover the joy of learning, develop confidence and take pride in speaking two languages.
From state recognition to the national stage
As Massachusetts Teacher of the Year, Garcia will serve as an ambassador for the teaching profession over the coming year. Her responsibilities will include participating in speaking engagements across the state and joining other state Teachers of the Year at events in California and Washington, D.C. She will also become Massachusetts’ candidate for the National Teacher of the Year award.The selection process began in early 2026 with nominations from school administrators, teachers, students, families and community members. Seven semifinalists were shortlisted after an initial review, followed by interviews with four finalists. A panel that included former Massachusetts Teachers of the Year recommended Garcia for the honour, with Commissioner Martinez making the final selection.Garcia is the third educator from Springfield Public Schools to receive the Massachusetts Teacher of the Year recognition. The award also brings a $10,000 grant to German Gerena Community School, provided by Wellpoint, the programme’s sponsor.Her recognition places a spotlight on the work taking place in her kindergarten classrooms, where children are encouraged to build their academic foundations in two languages while retaining a connection to their home language and cultural identity.
