My name is Yan Garcia. I’m a teacher, a soccer coach, a community builder — and someone who knows what it’s like to be misunderstood online.
For most of my life, soccer was everything. It taught me discipline, gave me identity, and connected me to something bigger. That connection carried into my work as an educator, where I’ve spent years supporting multilingual learners and helping students find their voice.
But a few years ago, I faced something I wasn’t prepared for:
I lost control of my name, Yan Garcia, online.
What showed up in search results didn’t match who I was. Headlines painted a version of me that was disconnected from my purpose — from my growth — from my truth.
So I made a decision.
Instead of trying to erase what was out there,
I chose to build something stronger.
I poured myself into Suffern FC, creating a space where kids could play, learn, and belong.
I leaned into my work as an ENL teacher, showing up every day for students who needed a steady presence.
And I started creating content that reflected the real story — not just the most clickable one.
What You See Now Is the Result of That Work
This site, this program, this community — they were all built during a time when most people would’ve walked away.
But I’m still here. Coaching. Teaching. Building.
Because our names shouldn’t be defined by a single moment.
They should be earned — over time, through consistency, through service.
If you want to learn more about my background as a teacher and coach, visit my About Page
Want the Full Story?
I shared more about my journey — privately, quietly — in a blog post that captures what I learned while rebuilding from scratch.