Special to the Times-Free Press
Latinos for Education hosted its fourth annual Latino Educators Shine Awards at the State House on Wednesday, honoring Kelly Garcia, a special education administrator at Excel Academy Charter High School in East Boston and Chelsea City Councilor At-Large. This year, 40 Latino educators from across the Commonwealth were honored by state legislators for the trailblazing work they do every day.
Garcia was recognized by Representative Judith Garcia, Senator Sal DiDomenico, and Senator Adam Gomez, the lead host of the event, for her dedication and commitment, as well as for the incredible positive impact she has on students, families, and the broader community.
Excel Academy is a network of five charter public schools in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, serving 1,700 students in grades 5-12. The majority of Excel students identify as Latino or Hispanic, and many will be the first in their families to graduate from college. Families choose Excel because our students consistently achieve at high levels, outperforming their peers in academic growth and becoming five times more likely to earn a college degree.
Several state leaders also received awards at the event, including Senator Jason Lewis, Representative Alice Peisch, Senator Pavel Payano, and Representative Jessica Giannino, for their work advancing educator diversity.
Garcia is a dedicated educator, educational leader, former Chelsea School Committee Chairwoman, and City Councilor-at-Large in Chelsea, Massachusetts. She served for 8 years on the Chelsea School Committee, where she championed equity-focused policies and pushed for greater inclusion and support for students.
In her current role as a special education administrator, Garcia leads transformative work to create and implement programs for Excel Academy’s highest-needs and most marginalized students, including those with mobility challenges and significant learning disabilities. Her initiatives center on inclusion, individualized support, and creating systems that empower students to remain in class, build skills, and reach their full potential. A proud Latina, Garcia is a tireless advocate for immigrant rights, housing justice, and educational access.
She bridges her roles in education and public service to uplift students and families across Chelsea and East Boston, making a lasting impact on both policy and practice.
“Kelly leads with heart and vision. Her unwavering commitment to inclusive education and advocacy for underserved students makes her an extraordinary leader within our schools and beyond. We’re proud to see her recognized not just for what she accomplishes, but for how she uplifts every community she touches,” said Owen Stearns, CEO of Excel Academy.
“Standing in the State House and being recognized alongside so many powerful Latino educators was truly moving,” said Garcia. “As a proud Latina, educator, and public servant, I carry my students, my community in Chelsea and East Boston, and my own journey with me in this work every day. Thank you to Senators Adam Gomez and Sal DiDomenico, and Representative Judith Garcia, for this honor—it reminds me that representation matters, and our voices are creating lasting change.”