Valerie Garcia

Bio

Valerie García is a linguist, educator, and researcher whose work centers on heritage language education, teacher development, and identity development. Currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Education at Stanford University, Valerie brings a strong interdisciplinary background bridging applied linguistics, pedagogy, and sociocultural analysis to her teaching and research.

She earned her M.S. in Applied Linguistics from Georgetown University, where she contributed to projects at the Assessment and Evaluation Language Resource Center (AELRC) and co-authored publications in The Modern Language Journal and the Institute of International Education. Her research has examined heritage language learner identity, multilingual education, and the impacts of language policies across the U.S., including her thesis on the differing perceptions of heritage language programs among administrators and teachers.

As a Spanish teacher and curriculum developer, Valerie has taught at Mountain House High School, Summit Charter Schools, and La Escuelita, where she integrates project-based and culturally responsive instruction aligned with state standards. Her teaching is grounded in linguistic justice and equitable access to world language education.

Valerie’s scholarship has been presented at the American Association for Applied Linguistics (AAAL) and the National Heritage Language Resource Center (NHLRC) conferences, and her visual research work has been featured in leading textbooks such as Second Language Research and The Art of Language Teaching and the Science of Language Learning.

Fluent in both English and Spanish, Valerie combines her expertise in linguistic research and pedagogy with her commitment to empowering multilingual learners and advancing equity in education.

Education & Certifications

• Credential, California Teaching Credential, Single Subject: World Language (2023)
• M.S., Georgetown University, Applied Linguistics (2022)
• B.A., Boston University, Spanish & Linguistics (2020)
• A.A., City College of San Francisco, Arts and Humanities (2018)