2023 - Take Five with…Ignacio Alvarez-Garcia

Ignacio Alvarez-Garcia, professor of Spanish, is a first-generation college student born and raised in Madrid, Spain. As a first-gen student, he found a passion for education and the power it has to impact lives. With a goal of becoming a teacher, Alvarez-Garcia moved to the U.S. to attend graduate school at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Before ECC, he taught Spanish and literature at UIUC, Lakeland University, and Elmhurst University.

In addition to teaching Spanish language and culture at ECC, Alvarez-Garcia coordinates the college’s Modern Language Program - in addition to Spanish, ECC students can learn Chinese, Japanese, French, and German! Learn more about Alvarez-Garcia outside of teaching, like where his favorite spot in Spain is and what movie made him want to become an archeologist as a kid.

Where is the best place you’ve traveled, or where is somewhere you dream of going, and why? I love traveling, exploring new places, and experiencing other cultures. I have visited more than thirty countries, and many places have impressed me. If I had to choose one, I would say the island of Minorca, in Spain. Google it - you will see why!

What’s one thing that really makes your day? A good sunrise or a good sunset. And when students complete the homework.

What is your favorite meal to cook or favorite dish to eat out? Anything Mediterranean (Italian, Greek, or Spanish) and seafood.

What’s your favorite spot on campus? My classroom. It’s the place where I interact with my students, where I see them grasp the concepts and practice the language, and where I have the most fun. 

What did you want to be when you grew up? An archeologist; after watching Indiana Jones, who wouldn’t want to explore like that? I loved reading since I was a little kid. My favorite subjects were English, art history, and literature.