Ms. Blythe ("Ms. Joy")  teaches American Sign Language at Garza and is a student herself in the ACC ASL Interpreting Program. Her mission is to provide a safe and engaging language-learning experience, where students develop a readiness to interact with the Deaf community, as well as an appreciation of Deaf Culture and its extensive history of overcoming oppression within a hearing society. 

She loves the opportunity to share her passion for ASL but frequently reminds students that it is the members of the Deaf community themselves who are the true experts and owners of this unique and beautiful language.

Valerie Lopez-Stern has a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Austin College and a master’s degree in Latin American Studies. She has experience teaching Foundations of Spanish and Spanish I and II. She loves incorporating music, art, and culture in the language classroom and is very excited to be at Garza!