Ms. Alba graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a master’s degree in English from Chapman University. She completed a Single Subject credential in English at the University of California, Irvine and has been teaching high school English Language Arts for Garden Grove Unified School District since 2008. During this time, she has taught 9-11th grade English, Creative Writing, initiated Mexican American Literature and Culture as an academic elective class offered in the district in 2013, and will lead the launch of the AP Capstone Program at Garden Grove High School in the 2017-2018 school year.
Ms. Alba’s passion as an educator lies in unlocking the power of language and expression for all students by designing lessons that provide practical tools and skills tools necessary for 21st century reading, writing, and creativity. She has been recognized for her contributions to equitable school environments by OC Department of Education, the California League of High Schools, and she was Garden Grove Unified School District’s Teacher of the Year for 7-12 in 2015.
Besides teaching, Ms. Alba enjoys yoga, visual arts, music, and most of all participating in community organizations that promote literacy and creative empowerment for underserved communities. She has been an active member of several community based arts organizations and initiatives and currently serves as a Board President and active participant of Breath of Fire Latina Theater Ensemble Writers, a Santa Ana based theater organization dedicated to fostering cross-cultural understanding and building a visual arts community that inspires both personal healing and social justice.