Special Education

Hello Renaissance Community! My name is Kye Garcia (they/them) and this is my first year working as a Special Education Teacher. I've taught in Springfield for 3 years and I'm beyond excited to work at Renaissance! My undergraduate degree is from Smith College where my major was in The Study of Women and Gender, my minor was in Government, and I did a concentration in Archives. I'm less than a year away from finishing my Masters in Education through Fitchburg State.

I grew up 90 minutes outside of Manhattan and moved to Massachusetts for college. I decided this was my place. I currently live in Northampton with my wife and my cat. I love to read (especially fantasy!), watch TV, and play board games. 

– Updated 10/16/22

I am am a Licensed Educational Psychologist and Mental Health Counselor. I graduated from American International College with my Doctorate degree in Educational Psychology and a dual Master’s degree from Springfield College in the areas of Marriage and Family Therapy and Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I have been working for the City of Springfield as an Educational Psychologist since 2017. This is my second year at Renaissance. 

This is my 12th year at Renaissance and 19th year in Springfield! I am a graduate of Cathedral HS in Springfield, and then went to Cosmetology school and worked in salons for 15 years before beginning my career in education. I have worked in every grade from K-12, as well as working as a 1-to-1 para. I have also been certified as a Highly Qualified Paraprofessional. I am the mother of 3 and am a grandmother as well. I love spending time with my family, especially my grandson! I am also a big dog-lover and exercise is very important to me. 

This is my 12th year working at Renaissance. I attended Syracuse University, where I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Advertising Design. I worked as a Graphic Designer and Art Director at many different advertising agencies while living in New Jersey, Virginia Beach, and eventually Western Mass, where I chose to start a family and settle down. I was an Art Director at Spalding for seven years until it closed at which point I fell into education somewhat by accident, when my daughter enrolled at Renaissance, and I asked the Principal, Dr. Mahoney, how I could help, and he suggested I join the staff as a Paraprofessional. I have been able to use my directing and teaching skills to help high school students manage their workload and to produce successful outcomes. 

I love to do arts and crafts and implement elements of design in all aspects of my life. My philosophy is that we are all meant to help each other, to achieve the best life we can! Love above all else!