When Politics Enter the Classroom: Lessons From Teaching in Venezuela

In 2012, I made a bold move and accepted a teaching position in Venezuela. I wasn’t just looking for adventure. I wanted to challenge myself as an educator and grow into the kind of leader who could thrive in complex, high-stakes environments.

What I stepped into was a country facing deep political instability. Schools shut down without warning. Resources were limited. Safety wasn’t guaranteed. And still, every day I led with calm, consistency, and care because students needed that kind of leadership.

That year wasn’t just about navigating uncertainty. I built routines that helped students feel safe. I created learning experiences with what little we had. I stayed grounded so my students could keep learning, no matter what was happening outside the classroom.

Here’s how that experience shaped the educator and leader I am today:

• Instructional leadership under pressure
I didn’t just adapt. I led. I redesigned lessons, kept students engaged, and supported my peers through transitions most educators never face.

• Cultural competence and relationship building
I led with empathy and built trust across language and cultural lines. That experience still guides how I build relationships with students, families, and staff today.

• Systems thinking in real time
I had to make fast, informed decisions to meet the needs of my students and community. That ability to think strategically and act quickly still informs how I approach program development and school-based leadership.

• A global lens on equity
Living and teaching abroad showed me how deeply politics can shape education. In Venezuela, I saw how instability directly affected students’ access to learning, safety, and opportunity. That lens helped me better understand how similar patterns show up in our own schools—how policy decisions, funding structures, and leadership gaps all play a role in equity. That experience gave me the clarity to lead with a stronger, more informed voice.

• Leading with vision and purpose
I stayed focused on what mattered most. Learning, connection, consistency. That mindset still drives everything I do.

I recently came across the original contract I signed for that position. It reminded me of just how bold that choice was. Today, due to safety concerns and State Department advisories, very few Americans teach in Venezuela. But that year gave me more than memories. It shaped my leadership. It gave me a global perspective, a deeper understanding of systems, and the confidence to lead in any environment.

Now whether I’m leading intervention programs, working in Title 1 schools, or designing after-school initiatives, I bring that same mindset. Clear, steady, student-focused, and always ready to lead with heart and perspective.

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