Teaching Across Borders and Possibilities: The Global Vision of Dr. Angelo Villarreal

In classrooms across America, teachers often talk about the power of representation, possession, and resilience. Few embody those values ​​as fully as Angelo Villarreal, a scholar, teacher, and community leader whose journey from Peru to a classroom in New Jersey demonstrates the power to transform education itself.

Dr. Villarreal teaches at Freehold Township High School and RAISE Academy in Freehold Township, New Jersey, where she works with multilingual students in Spanish language and dual language education programs. Through culturally responsive teaching and advocacy for equality, she helps students embrace their cultural identities while succeeding academically.

As a member of the second group this Top 50 TeachersVillarreal’s work extends beyond the classroom. Recognized nationally for the advancement of educational opportunity and representation, Dr. Villarreal has been honored with numerous awards—including the National Champion on Equity Award from the American Consortium for Equity in Education—and has received official commendations from the Governor of New Jersey, state legislators, and members of the US Congress.

But his journey into education did not begin in a traditional way.

From Peru to the classroom

“I always wanted to work with others,” remembers Dr. Villarreal. “In the beginning, when I was in Peru, I just wanted to be a basketball coach and I knew I wanted to work in that capacity.”

However, when he arrived in the United States, life took a different turn.

“I worked in Corporate America because I didn’t have money to go to school or pay my bills.”

It was the birth of his son that finally changed everything.

When my son was born, that’s when I decided to look back and do what I always wanted to do.”

Today, that personal commitment shapes the way he relates to every student who walks into his classroom.

“As a teacher, I see my students as my future colleagues, friends, managers, and the place where my 3 children live at home, that’s why I always spend a lot of my time and energy on them and do my best to surpass my own class.”

Creating Safe Spaces for Students

Unlike most educators who can point to a single turning point, Dr. Villarreal says his commitment to teaching has been confirmed time and time again by his students themselves.

“There is no defining moment, but a combination of many students who continue to confirm my commitment to education.”

Most important to him is the trust that students feel when they enter his classroom.

“Learning from my past, present…and future students about their challenges and dreams and learning that they have a safe place in my classroom is important.”

That feeling of security doesn’t happen by accident. Dr. Villarreal intentionally built systems that connect families, students, and schools in meaningful ways.

Strengthening Home-School Connections

One of her most unique classroom practices is simple yet powerful: constant communication with families.

“Constant communication with the parents of my students.” Not just calling when something goes wrong, but letting them know what we are doing in class.”

Each month, she writes to every parent to highlight classroom activities and student learning.

“I write to every parent of my students every month and highlight our work, and what we are doing in our classroom.” The aim is for them to have a topic of conversation at the table and support, in some way, the interaction between all of us.”

Equally important are the conversations they have with students themselves—conversations that go far beyond academic content.

I talk to my students regularly not only about the class or the content, but how everything is at home, their family, friends, and the school year as a whole.

Persistence in the Face of Obstacles

The method of Dr. Teaching Villarreal was not easy at all.

In New Jersey, aspiring teachers must pass a series of Praxis exams to enter the profession. For Villarreal, most of the tests were spontaneous—except for one.

“Math, Reading and Praxis II (Spanish Content), I could easily pass it. On the other hand, I failed it over and over again.”

As a multilingual teacher learning English as a second language, the writing part proved to be the most difficult.

“It took me 9 times to pass it as English was my second language, and the writing part was very difficult for me at that time.”

The stakes were high.

“That test was going to decide if I could be a teacher or not.”

What kept him going was the same motivation that had motivated him to pursue teaching in the first place.

“My son is the one who inspired me and the one who made me believe in myself and not give up hope.”

Lessons for Teachers on Coping with Burnout

For teachers who feel overwhelmed by the demands of work, Dr. Villarreal offers advice based on personal behavior and self-awareness.

“It took me a while to learn to say no. From different programs, to advising certain clubs, having more time for myself has helped me a lot.”

Although she continues to work a lot—including a secondary role at another school—she prioritizes her time and personal goals.

Physical fitness also plays an important role in his routine. Recently, he started doing Karate in the same place as his children as he wants to continue to motivate them and lead by example.

“I wake up every day at 3 a.m. to go to the gym and go to bed around 8 p.m. I’ve been doing that for years, and it’s helped me a lot. Now, I’m taking Art Beins Karate in Freehold, and I can push myself even more.”

For him, maintaining a balance is essential to sustaining a long-term academic career.

Advocacy through Public Engagement

Dr. Villarreal believes that meaningful change in education begins with dialogue and collaboration—even with those who hold opposing views.

“Creating relationships with the community, with organizations.”

He emphasizes one skill above all others.

“Talking together—the key word: listening, without interrupting—creates a conversation so that I can understand others, learn from others, and they can understand me.”

He says that this method has helped him to deal with the challenging situations that teachers face today.

Mentorship and Brotherhood

Apart from his formal teaching responsibilities, Dr. Villarreal works closely with young men through a mentoring group known as “Brotherhood.”

The group meets regularly to build leadership skills and support students’ mental health.

“This is a group of male students who meet once or twice a month and we work on leadership skills, mental health, and really become a brotherhood where we support each other.”

It is a reflection of his broad belief that education must deal with the social and emotional realities that students deal with every day.

Expanding Influence Beyond the Classroom

The impact of Dr. Villarreal also has access to scholarships and international education.

As a professional scholar, he edited two influential volumes—Perspectives of Hispanic Scholars on Education and Welfare again Hispanic Perspectives on Student Support and Community Development—amplifying the voices of Spanish teachers across K–12 and higher education.

In addition to research and publications, he uses modern platforms to communicate with students and teachers.

“Most of the time I try to bring positive messages to my readers on TikTok and Instagram… and increase my connections on X/Twitter and LinkedIN”

His dedication to world education has also earned him respect as a student Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Scholarwhich allows him to collaborate with teachers abroad and bring international perspectives to his teaching.

National Honor and Leadership

The work of Dr. Villarreal has been widely recognized. Among his many honors are:

• Fulbright Teacher Classroom participant – Going to Uruguay in 2026
• National Champion for Educational Equity (K–12) – American Consortium for Equity in Education
• ASCD Emerging Leader and Champion in Education – ASCD
• TUMI USA – Professional Award for Peruvian-American Excellence in the United States
• Princeton University Prestigious Secondary School Teaching Awards
• Excellence in Educational Leadership Award – Monmouth University
• Good performance in English as a second language award
• Global Seal of Biliteracy Professional Fluency Award
• Top 5 Latinos in New Jersey by United States Latino Affairs
• Marquis Who’s Who in America (2023) for contributions to education

He also received numerous scholarships and honors from Pi Lambda Theta and was named an honorary member of the Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education. Recently, he was interviewed by 7-time Emmy Award winner, Ken Rosato and his morning show while being featured in a local magazine.

Rethinking the School Day

If Dr. If Villarreal could change one thing about the structure of education today, it would be simple—but it would be profound.

“A lot of breaks between classes so students can hang out, play and be kids.”

In an era of high academic pressure and tight schedules and technology taking over, she believes that unstructured time is essential to healthy development.

Heritage of Representation and Inspiration

Looking to the future, Dr. Villarreal hopes his work will inspire teachers and students.

“Regarding teachers, I would like to see more male teachers to support the growth of students’ children; but also support and empower our female teachers in any position.

For students, his hopes are human.

“I would like to learn if, at least, I was able to make a difference to them. Not only that they learned the lesson I taught them, but if I was able to inspire them in any way or any way.”

Even a small impact will matter.

“Maybe I’ll even remember some of my words or phrases.”

Or maybe something more meaningful.

“Even me, or my class, was the only safe place they had.”

In a work that is defined by silence, the daily acts of care, the story of Dr. Angello Villarreal reminds us that teaching is not just about lessons and curriculum—it’s about perseverance, relationships, and the belief that every student deserves to be seen, heard, and empowered to succeed.