A passionate advocate for education, Ms. Garcia was elected to the Newark Board of Education, earning the highest number of votes in a competitive race.
She later served as Board President from 2018 to 2021, helping guide the district through Newark's historic return to local control after more than two decades of state oversight.
She made history as the first elected Latina president of the Board under local governance and played a key role in appointing new district leadership and strengthening policies that support student success.
