KATARINA GARCIA

Katarina “Katie” Garcia was first elected to the Board of Directors for the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District (Upper District) in November 2020 and represents Division 4, which includes the cities of Covina, Irwindale, West Covina and portions of Azusa, Baldwin Park and Glendora. She is the first Latina and Asian-Pacific Islander elected to the Upper District Board.

Katarina graduated from Arizona State University in 2009 with a Bachelor’s degree in Education and earned a Master’s degree in Secondary Education from California State University, Fullerton in 2015. As an undergraduate, Katarina had the opportunity to work for the Global Institute of Sustainability (School of Sustainability), where her interest in water science began and ultimately led to her focus on science education.

Katarina has been a high school science teacher for 12 years, beginning her career at her alma mater, Bishop Amat High School in 2009 and in 2014 joined the staff at West Covina High School where she currently teaches Biology and AP Environmental Science. She has served as a mentor to West Covina High School’s student team that participated in Metropolitan Water District’s Solar Cup program designed to educate students on water resources, solar engineering and developing sustainable energy solutions.

Katarina has a passion for water and enjoys teaching her students the importance of conservation, water quality and environmental sustainability in the San Gabriel Valley. Her water curriculum has won her multiple education grants and in 2018 was named Teacher of the Year at West Covina High School.

Katarina lives in Covina in the same home she grew up in with her husband, Cesar, and daughter, Astrid.